The man who appeared at the opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) headquarters in Kamwokya, Kampala donning a military camouflage is a UPDF veteran, officials said Wednesday morning.
“He is Private Justus B Turyatunga,” said a reliable source who spoke to us on condition of anonymity as he is not authorised to address the media.
“Turyatunga previously served in 105 Battalion, C Coy (company),” the source emphasised.
The photo of Turyatunga made rounds on social media on Tuesday raising queries on whether a serving soldier should be participating in partisan politics.
However, the newly appointed army spokesperson Brig. Flavia Byekwaso said that the force cannot take the circulating picture for granted as they have already started on investigations.
“Pictures of an unidentified individual in UPDF dress, with unclear name tag and covered shoulder lapels and with a people power beret and mask was posted on social media to cheaply and desperately portray some members of the force as partisan.
The UPDF takes strong exception to this criminal scheme and already investigations are underway to establish the identity and apprehend the culprit who is not a member of the UPDF,” said Byekwaso through his known twitter handle.
Article 208(i) of the Constitution provides that the national army shall be ‘non-partisan” as well as “subordinate to the civilian authority”.
Section 99 of the UPDF Act 2005, bars a serving army officer from seeking a political appointment or engaging in partisan politics.
We have learned that the intelligence organs are combing the city for Turyatunga who is said to be in hiding.
