Former Director of Presidential Press Service Lee Njiru has cautioned Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni against making inflammatory statements that could strain relations with neighbouring countries, saying the veteran leader is “biting the hands that once fed him.”
Mr Njiru, who was for decades based at State House during President Daniel Moi’s administration, revealed how as a rebel leader Mr Museveni used the veteran communication expert’s Nairobi office as a command post during Uganda’s civil war in the 1980s that eventually ousted President Milton Obote.
Mr Njiru also recalled how Kenya Air Force jets were placed at Mr Museveni’s disposal to access Uganda through Rwanda as he fought to seize power.
“We used to give him our own military security personnel, who escorted him on Kenya Air Force Buffalo jets so that he could access the Luwero Triangle (a part of Uganda where the rebels were based) during the bush war,” said Mr Njiru.
He asked: “How can he (President Museveni) threaten people who put him in power?” He added that the Ugandan leader has much to thank Kenya for instead of issuing threats
President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda.
Photo credit: File | Reuters
Mr Njiru was reacting to President Museveni’s recent outburst suggesting that Uganda should have unhindered access to the Indian Ocean, even if it means going to war.
The remarks sparked outrage in Kenya, with many interpreting them as a threat to regional peace.
“If President Museveni wants unhindered access to the Indian Ocean, he should sit down with President William Ruto of Kenya and President Samia Suluhu Hassan of Tanzania and create a federation with an agreeable constitution,” said Mr Njiru.
“In such a setup, the three countries would jointly own the Indian Ocean coastline, Uganda’s oil in the Lake Albert Basin, Tanzania’s gas in Mtwara and Lindi, and Kenya’s gold in Ikolomani,” said Mr Njiru.
Speaking at his Ngata home on the outskirts of Nakuru City, Mr Njiru, said he was speaking in his capacity as an elder and regional statesman, reminded President Museveni of the days of the East African Common Services Organisation, when Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania shared institutions such as the East African Railways and Harbours and operated under a single East African Currency Board.
Lee Njiru, former President Daniel arap Moi's press secretary.
Photo credit: File | Nation Media Group
He recalled that during that golden era, students freely studied across the region, with Kenyans and Tanzanians attending Makerere University, Kenyans and Ugandans studying at the University of Dar es Salaam, and Tanzanians and Ugandans enrolling at the University of Nairobi.
“Our leaders then believed in cooperation, not confrontation,” said Mr Njiru.
“The disintegration of that unity came because of parochialism, selfishness, bigotry, and the big man syndrome that still bedevil African leadership,” he added.
Mr Njiru also reminded President Museveni that Kenya has the smallest share of Lake Victoria, yet Kenyan fishermen are routinely arrested and harassed by Ugandan security agents.
“What is good for the goose should be good for the gander,” he said.
Warning against military adventurism, Mr Njiru added that Uganda would not stand a chance against a combined Kenya–Tanzania defence alliance.
He invoked history, recalling how the Tanzanian army under General David Musuguri and Brigadier Mike Marwa decisively defeated dictator Idi Amin in 1979 during the Kagera War.
“Lieutenant Colonel Jakaya Kikwete, who fought in that campaign, is still alive as a retired President of Tanzania, and he still has the battle plan,” he noted.
Mr Njiru revealed that he witnessed Mr Museveni awarding General Musuguri and Brigadier Marwa the Nalubaale Medal at Kololo Stadium, acknowledging their role in ousting dictator Amin, a victory from which President Museveni later benefited.
He further reminded President Museveni that it was President Moi who played a key role in helping him during the 1985 Nairobi peace talks, which paved the way for his eventual rise to power in Uganda.
“President Museveni should remember that Kenya stood with him when he needed friends most,” said Mr Njiru.
