Rtd Lt. Col. Francis Itabuka, the former Director of State Research Bureau-SRB has asked incumbent political leaders to give way to other actors to avoid mistakes of the past regimes.
Itabuka, who lives a humble life in Itonko village in Namutumba town council in Namutumba district, told local news agency, URN in an exclusive interview that leadership is the willingness to serve and not a profession, which requires experience.
He says there is need for leaders to give way when they complete their term of office, which he believes will save the country from its dreaded history of intolerant leaders.
Itabuka explains that for Uganda to progress politically there must be constitutional order that provides room the peaceful transfer of power so that the country’s shortcomings are not blamed on one individual.
He says there is need for the current leaders in the country to learn from their predecessor’s mistakes of lack of tolerance for political opponents, which painted the country’s dark history.
Citing the public perception of former Ugandan president, Iddi Amin, Itabuka notes that leaders are not 100% perfect, but should work for their electorates.
He also warns against the monetization of politics, saying such funds should be used to boost government agencies to improve service delivery.
Itabuka also against many intelligence organizations in the country, saying most of the players struggle for supremacy so as to please the appointing authority as opposed to actual intelligence gathering.
Itabuka was the director of SRB from 1974-1977 under the late President, Idi Amin. SRB was accused of human rights violations and kidnap of regime opponents.
In 1987, Itabuka appeared before Uganda Human Rights Commission which was investigating human rights violations dating back to independence.
He out reasoned the Commissioners led by the incumbent vice president, Edward Ssekandi, and was set free.
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