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No need for Uganda to buy fighter jets - Kyanjo
A Russian business daily publication, Vedomosti reported last week that Ugandan government had signed a contract with the Russian government to buy six Su-30MK2s fighter jets at a total cost of Shs654 billion. However, the government and the military have since refuted the claims and asked the Russian government to retract the story. Sunday Monitor’s Sheila Naturinda sought the views of opposition shadow minister of internal affairs, Hussein Kyanjo. Excerpts:-
As an opposition minister in charge of internal affairs; do you think Uganda needs to buy such fighter jets?
We surely do not need them. My argument is based on two facts which have been on several occasions placed by our government; first, that Uganda has defeated all its adversaries with the available equipment. For instance, we have no more Kony threats in the north. Secondly, that Uganda is a very peaceful country. For the above reasons, therefore, there is no need for buying fighter jets at a cost exceeding that of our most important and urgent needs and when our Parliament is busy approving loans day-in-day out.
With such sophisticated military machinery, one would believe that Uganda faces security threats that warrant preparedness. Is that the case?
There could be some threats yes; because you can’t rule out everything. But obviously, the magnitude of protection a country needs depends on her diplomatic conduct as well as her internal democratic credentials as viewed by her citizens. Fighter jets, if acquired, would be to protect Uganda against threats from neighbouring countries, but if we are very clear in whatever we do, then we do not have to fear such threats. The public now thinks the much talked about fighter jets are for fighting the country’s own citizens.
I would not be surprised if there were any other riot and the army uses these fighter jets when they get them. You know many unique things have been happening in this country.
Some of your colleagues in Parliament have argued that Uganda is engaging in an arms race in the region. What is your take on this?
Yes. It is possible because the whole block (region) would be made more complex if Uganda acquired these military arms of exceeding strength. Obviously, our neighbour Kenya, have some of these and Sudan has a lot of strength in that area. The last we expect is seeing cross boarder fights and bombings across all boarders.
Where does this leave the East African Community, which is trying to graduate into a political federation?
The whole idea of an East African Community is just a mirage because the behaviours of the countries in the community are very much different. Some have presidential term limits; others have chosen to do without them.
Some, like Tanzania, have quashed corruption while others like Uganda and Kenya have not. In fact, in Uganda, it’s official to be corrupt. Therefore, with such differences and many more others in the five countries intending to form the community, the whole idea becomes unrealistic.
Do you see Uganda becoming a super power in the Great Lakes region?
That idea of Uganda becoming a super power in the Great Lakes region is nonsense. Super powers do not behave the way we do. They have no powerful army Generals, but strong political leaders. In this part of the world, you cannot talk about being a super power. Maybe you can possibly talk about having military hideouts to train guerrillas for invading neighbouring states, or to engage in fishy deals like it used to happen in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Why shouldn’t Uganda use resources at her disposal like our new -found oil to buy these fighter jets to strengthen her national defence?
No country can start planning on such a valuable resource in a matter like procuring fighter jets. You would rather start with infrastructure, for example, the much needed roads for the benefit of all Ugandans. It takes 40 minutes to drive from Monitor Publications Ltd head office at Namwongo to Parliament yet it should take less time. If a leader thinks of using the oil resource for buying fighter jets, or any other military machinery, then we surely need divine assistance.
