A Ugandan opposition presidential candidate said President Yoweri Museveni issued an arrest warrant against him after he accused Mr. Museveni of masterminding a “silent genocide” in northern Uganda.
Ambassador Olara Otunnu, presidential candidate of the opposition Uganda People’s Congress, told VOA he has documentary evidence that shows President Museveni was complicit in the murder of thousands of residents in northern Uganda.
“The reason is that he (Mr. Museveni) is unhappy about a body of evidence, which I presented before the Ugandan people (Tuesday) in Kampala. I put before the public various articles I wrote documenting the genocide in northern Uganda by (Mr.) Museveni. And, I put before the public (a) compendium of facts and figures, which I compiled over the years,” said Otunnu.
“I added to it a recent document put in the public domain by Professor Whitmore of Notre Dame University in the United States. Police are apparently on their way to Lira to execute the arrest warrant (against me).”
Addressing a news conference in the capital, Kampala, Ambassador Otunnu accused Mr. Museveni of plotting and using the infamous Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) rebels to commit acts of genocide in northern Uganda to take over the fertile land of the Acholi ethnic group.
Meanwhile, Ugandan police say they have launched a criminal investigation into Otunnu’s claims and demanded proof of his accusations.
This came after Uganda’s parliament allocated 602 billion shillings (about ($258 million US) to the presidential office ahead of the 18th February general elections.
Several opposition groups condemned the move saying the earmarked funds are aimed to boost President Museveni’s re-election bid.
Otunnu said Mr. Museveni is determined to make a mockery of Uganda’s democracy.
“It is now clear that (Mr.) Museveni is doing everything to make the elections a sham. (Mr.) Museveni has said repeatedly in recent weeks that he doesn’t care what the electorate says, he is not moving anywhere (and) that he came to power through a bush war, and that he will only hand over power through a handpicked successor from those who fought with him in the bush.”
