Uganda: Amama Mbabazi speaks on his sacking

New backbencher: Mbabazi (circled) during plenary yesterda

Time check is 3:13pm, Tuesday September  23. Kinkiizi West MP Amama Mbabazi drives into the parliamentary compound without the police lead car and military escorts, which had become part of his convoy for the last 13 years.

Mbabazi has enjoyed a military convoy since he was elevated to a senior cabinet position in 2001, serving since then as minister of defence, security and prime minister. Although he was dismissed from cabinet last Friday, Mbabazi has so far retained the military bodyguard and black armoured Land Cruiser that he used as prime minister. The car has, however, lost the red government registration number plate and in its place has the private black UAS 969J. Unlike other MPs who are subjected to security checks as they enter parliament, police officers manning the main entrance saluted and cleared the way for Mbabazi, who still retains some of his clout as secretary general of the ruling NRM party.

The cops were joined by parliament’s sergeant-at-arms, Ahmed Kagoye, in praising Mbabazi as an “extra-ordinary” man for making the appearance, days after he was sacked. The 67-year-old Kinkiizi West MP waved at MPs, parliament staff and journalists who were standing in the central lobby as he walked into the chambers where he was received with wild cheers. This was exactly one hour after Government Chief Whip Justine Kasule Lumumba had told parliament that it would not be easy for the government side to make a statement on the ongoing border dispute between Uganda and South Sudan in Moyo.
Speaking as prime minister, Mbabazi last week said government would come up with a comprehensive statement on the dispute this week. FULL STORY