President Museveni has said he will forgive former Inspector General of Police Gen Kale Kayihura for any wrongs done.
In 2018, Kayihura was charged with failure to protect war materials, failure to supervise police officers and abetting kidnap and illegal repatriation of a former bodyguard of Rwandan President Paul Kagame.
However, while campaigning in Kisoro this Monday, Museveni came under pressure from the people of Kisoro led by LC5 chairperson Abel Bizimana to pardon Kayihura.
“We know you have forgiven many people. I know you are merciful. We beg you to forgive our son Kale even though he might have wronged you,” said Bizimana.
Bizimana said Kayihura was a great NRM mobiliser in Kisoro and that his absence from the vote-hunting scene this time was likely to affect the party’s performance in the 2021 elections.
In response, Museveni said his former blue-eyed boy would be forgiven.
“Kayihura, just like the (Kisoro LC5) chairman said; there are hose who committed heavy sins and we forgave them,” said the President as he met Kisoro NRM leaders.
“So then why don’t we forgive him? Because you’ve asked and said he’s our person. I’ll speak to the military prosecution to have him forgiven,” he added.
Kayihura, who wielded immense power, now lives a humble life at his farm in Kasagama, Lyantonde District where he rears goats.
The military general fell out of favor with President Museveni amid reports he was working closely with Rwanda to build his own power base within the security forces, claims he denied as malicious and unfounded.
Kayihura is struggling with United States sanctions which include a travel ban and asset freeze.
While campaigning in the same district earlier last month, other presidential candidates including FDC’s Patrick Amuriat and NUP’s Robert Kyagulanyi alias Bobi Wine promised to re-appoint Kayihura if voted into power.
Bobi, who recently held a huge rally in Kisoro, criticised Museveni for abandoning Kayihura who had worked so hard to consolidate the president’s hold onto power.
An investigation by a joint security force found that charges leveled against Kayihura by Internal Security Organisation (ISO) such as the assassination of former AIGP Andrew Kaweesi were fabricated.
