URGENT: External Ugandan Military Assistance? (Sent by George)

If ODM leadership is talking of peaceful demonstrations, and it happens that they have a good reason to do so, and it further happens that that it is their democratic right, I believe that the police security network should be put in place to check on them whose focus may be on crimes such as looting or any form of hooliganism. It must also be appreciated that if the number may be overwhelming, it is a reflection of the magnitude of the problem in terms of numbers that were directly affected by this unexpected, historic polls outcome that is disowned even by the ECK chairman. It is clear that schools open next week, but if justice had been done at the time it ought to have been done; and not delayed till the opening of schools, the need for demonstration nee not have arisen. I therefore see no problem with the demonstrations. In fact the heavy deployment of security forces to counter the demonstrators may be the big problem with the goings on at the various schools. How about the tens of thousands of displaced families and their children? Will calling off demonstrations give them any guarantees towards normalcy including schooling for their children?


My main concern however is this: over the earlier demonstrations last week, it was widely reported that there were Ugandan military men (more precisely para-military men) that were involved in the anti riot actions in Western Kenya. The men were identified by their very questionable or out rightly poor command of our National Language. We are presently getting reports that some 3000 NRA men are leaving Uganda tonight to come in readiness to assist Kibaki's over these ODM planned demonstrations. We are aware that Museveni and Kibaki are close friends but is it right that external military aid can be quietly sought by the Commander in Chief of our country as his own well armed men rest in their barracks and Kenyans assured that only internal security forces are involved? If this report could be true, it is taking friendship too far. Museveni is an ex-guerilla and so has a high appetite for military combat, but his generosity in this respect is in very bad taste.