The UPDF High Command is meeting today Monday at State House Entebbe and among the issues top on the agenda is the violence in the Rwenzori region, Chimp Corps have learnt.
Over 60 people including 14 policemen and Obusinga royal guards were killed last week when the police together with the UPDF in a joint operation attacked the Omusinga Charles Mumbere’s palace in Kasese town.
The Rwenzori crisis has since triggered a backlash with human rights activists accusing the army of highhandedness.
But government officials say they used minimum force to defeat ‘armed criminals’ hiding at the Palace.
The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces President Museveni is expected to chair the meeting.
Museveni usually consults the High Command on issues of national security. Its recommendations act as guidelines to the armed forces in engaging security threats.
Also on the agenda is the murder of former Allied Democratic Forces commander Sheik Maj. Mohammed Kiggundu on November 26.
He was shot dead together with his body guard, Sgt. Steven Mukasa by unknown assailants in Masanafu town, Lubaga division.
“On the agenda is the defense budget, Kasese turmoil, Maj Kiggundu’s death and fake arms deal scandal at the Ministry of Defence,”said a source.
The Chief of Staff Land Forces Brigadier Leopold Kyanda has been under investigation over the alleged diddling of Shs 2bn from a Polish arms contractor.
The High Command comprises the president as the chairperson; Minister of Defence, Members of the High Command on January 26, 1986; Chief of Defense Forces; Deputy CDF; Service Commanders; Chief of Staff’s; Division Commanders and military experts recommended by the President among other senior officials.
The law provides that the High Command advises the President in “emergency situations and on matters relating to national security or deployment of the Defense Forces.”
The High Command also has an implementation committee of the Defense Forces responsible for supervising an implementation of its orders. This committee is usually led by the Chief of Staff.