By Frank Kamuntu
It was a thrilling moment for the President of Lwengo-based Anti Corruption NGO Mr Bruce Tushabe Nzabanita as he hosted Major General Gavas Mugyenyi, a senior military officer in the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF).
Mugenyi serves as Uganda’s military attaché to India, effective January 2020. Before that, from December 2017 until January 2020, he served as the deputy commander of the UPDF Air Force, replacing Major General Sam Kavuma, who was appointed deputy commander of the UPDF Land Forces.
Also, in January 2017, at the rank of Major General, served as the commander of the Air Defence Division of the UPDF, based in Nakasongola but also division commander Moroto and is praised for fighting the deadly cattle rustling in Karamoja subregion
During the two-hour visit, Mr Bruce who heads Volunteer Uganda Extra Ltd NGO, commended Mugenyi for his loving heart but also for not forgetting the people he worked with when he was deployed in greater Masaka.
For those hearing about this mighty organization Volunteer Uganda for the first time, it has since become a household name not only in greater Masaka but also countrywide for exposing corrupt government officials, especially those using their positions to push their selfish interests.
Volunteer Uganda is a dully incorporated body under the Laws of Uganda closed with the “persona ficta”, operating within Uganda, encapsulated with the mandate of protecting human rights, fighting corruption, ensuring transparency and accountability of public funds/assets/resources, fighting for legal protection and the rule of law.
”Mugenyi is the most loving army officer people of greater Masaka have ever seen. During his deployment as the commander of armoured brigade, he used to socialize with everyone, regardless of our political affiliations, religions, or tribes, Mugenyi was always free and friendly to everyone, it’s that good heart of his that triggered him to remember me and came back to share a moment with me and my family, we are so grateful,” said Bruce.
He added that by the time the General left greater Masaka, he had united all the people, and fought all forms of insecurity.
”He was such a hardworking man, very soft but tough on criminality, and this explains why he is among the top UPDF bosses now. The people of greater Masaka will always miss his good services,” added Bruce.
He commended the good leadership of HE Gen Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for instilling discipline among his soldiers and bringing them closer to the wanainchi noting that during the Amin era, soldiers were always a threat to the public.
”Those Amin, Obote days, a soldier was always feared, they tell you he is coming to your home, you lock all the doors and take off. But guess what, now a whole general comes with his family with all his convoy, holds friendly talks with you and you see him off peacefully, this is worth of appreciating?” wondered a thrilled Nzabanita.
It’s against that background that Bruce requested Gen Mugyenyi to deliver his appreciation to President Museveni and inform him that due to his wise leadership, the people of greater Masaka haven’t thought about seeing him retire.
”In our discussions, I have informed Gen that the people of greater Masaka are not ready to join those corruption protests I hear in Kampala, we believe our president has all it takes to fight corruption without chaos on the streets, also I have requested Gen Mugyeni to inform the president that we people of greater Masaka recognize his good leadership and ready to bring him back to state house in 2026, he must stay and fight for the good peace and freedom he brought for us,” added Bruce.
