The Army Commander Gen. David Muhoozi has confirmed that he met and held talks with Moses Nkonge Kibalama, the founder of National Unity Platform (NUP) in September.
Kibalama in August 2020 relinquished the leadership of NUP and handed over the instruments of office to Robert Kyagulanyi alias Bobi Wine, an opposition heavyweight in Uganda.
The Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) has been under fire for reportedly offering Kibalama protection at a time when he was was feuding with Bobi Wine over the party.
Before meeting Muhoozi, Kibalama had gone missing for days prompting speculation that he was kidnapped by security forces.
NUP supporters labelled Muhoozi and the army partisan. However, the CDF had remained tight-lipped until Wednesday night when he open how he met Kibalama.
“Someone got in touch and told me Kibalama requested to meet me. I asked, can’t it wait? He said Kibalama’s life was in danger,” Muhoozi said while appearing on national broadcaster UBC.
He was however quick to clarify that the meeting was unsolicited.
Muhoozi said, Kibalama asked him protection, “I asked him why he didn’t go to police he said no, I want UPDF.”
“I said I will first consult and I later learnt that he had approached another sister agency, ISO.”
Muhoozi added that he saw Kibalama again on TV while appearing in Court battling Bobi Wine over NUP matters.
However, Muhoozi wondered, “but why shouldn’t I meet him or any other Ugandan?”
He maintained that he wouldn’t want to be drawn in the dynamics of NUP.
“But everyone is entitled to an opinion. I have finally been given the opportunity to be heard; I met Kibalama on matters other than NUP.”
Kibalama, the founder of National Unity Reconciliation and Development Party (NURP) not so long ago, appeared in a video on social media alleging that Bobi Wine had failed to honour his pledge is $5 million he offered to pay when he takes over the leadership of NURP which rebranded to NUP.
The matter is still in Court.
