Leave issues of Generals to Generals: Museveni Tells off Ugandans Criticizing Him for not Promoting Paul Lokech to Full General Rank

President Yoweri Kaguta Tibuhaburwa Museveni has explained why he didn’t promote fallen deputy police chief Paul Lokech to the rank of full general.

On August 27, President Museveni posthumously promoted Maj Gen Lokech to the rank of lieutenant general.

Internal affairs minister Maj Gen Kahinda Otafiire delivered the news of the promotion to mourners in Pader District.

Museveni explained why he promoted Lokech.

“I have not heard that Lokech was involved in selling Army fuel which, sometimes, is a mistake that ruins the contribution of brave commanders. You cannot say that you are a brave Commander but you sell Army fuel. How will the Army fight in modern war without fuel? It is bravery in nullity. You cannot be brave and corrupt because corruption will lead to our defeat by lacking what to use because it has been sold by our “brave” commander,” said Museveni.

“Given his exemplary contribution for the last 30years and given the fact that he had done all the Leadership Courses up to NDC (National Defence College- South Africa) in 2010 and given that I have never heard reports of corruption about him, I hereby, using the authority given to the President by Articles 98 and 99 of the 1995 Constitution of Uganda, promote Major General Paul Lokech, Posthumously, to the rank of Lieutenant – General.”

The president further told off people castigating him for being “stingy” with the ranks.

“I have heard some civilians getting out of their Lubimbi (Katara- area of responsibility) proposing that he be promoted to full General. I would like to educate  our citizens that Army is like the church which the civilians know more about. You cannot appoint a Reverend a Bishop unless there is a Diocese that needs a Bishop, even if the Reverend is very good,” explained Museveni.

“The ranks go with the levels of training, which Lokech had achieved; performance, where Lokech  has excelled; and also size of responsibility. Having been, lately, Deputy Inspector General of Police, the rank of Lieutenant -General is the appropriate one.”