ugnet_: Profile: Major General James Kazini - BBC

[Omar Kezimbira]

Last Updated: Monday, 9 June, 2003, 16:52 GMT 17:52 UK

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Profile: Major General James Kazini
By Will Ross BBC correspondent in Kampala General Kazini denies any wrongdoing The Ugandan military have toned down the exit of Major General James Kazini from the top job by saying he has been sent to study at war college. But most will say it was the accusations of plundering the resources in neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo that knocked General Kazini off the army's top perch. Following the allegations by the United Nations that General Kazini had been benefiting from the exploitation of resources in Congo, he was called to answer a few questions by the government-appointed Porter Commission. General Kazini wasn't overly keen to attend and on several occasions failed to turn up. When he finally appeared, it was entertaining to say the least. 'Flexible' The chair of the commission, Justice David Porter, accused General Kazini of telling repeated lies. When asked why he had disobeyed President Yoweri Museveni's orders forbidding him from helping Congolese businesses there, General Kazini replied politely, "I did not contradict the president, I was only being flexible your Lordship." In the 1980s, General Kazini was one of the early members of the guerrilla movement that brought Mr Museveni to power and he had a reputation as a fearless fighter. President Museveni took action after UN accusations General Kazini was in charge of the operation against the rebels of the Allied Democratic Forces, ADF, in the west of Uganda. The success of that task lead to him being put in charge of the Ugandan army's Operation Safe Haven in DR Congo. During that period, the Ugandan army's activities there were widely condemned when its forces clashed with Rwandan troops in the north-eastern city of Kisangani in 1999. Following the accusations of gaining personal wealth from the resources in Congo, he was sent home to Uganda. But then, far from being ticked off for alleged bad behaviour, he was promoted to commander of the army - militarily second only to the president himself. Footie mad Away from the military arena and the probes of plundering, General Kazini has a couple of well documented passions in Kampala. One is Uganda's top musical group the Afrigo Band. If he is not dancing at one of their live shows at Club Obligato, he may be living it up at Ange Mystique night club. From the west of Uganda, General Kazini's other passion is football and specifically Sports Club Villa the current Ugandan league champions. He has even dipped into his pocket to help the team out - $2,500 to buy jerseys for the team. There's a dedicated fan for you. He is also well known for his personal business activities - and has recently been busy building hotels. And if you are wondering what he looks like - he has a moustache that is kept under control unlike some of his military colleagues and, well, let's just say he doesn't look as though he skips his meals. E-mail this to a friend Printable version LINKS TO MORE AFRICA STORIES SelectMauritania 'foils' coup attemptWesterners flee Liberian capitalMugabe foe faces new chargesMore troops for DR Congo townTop Ugandan army officer sackedMorocco terror claim prompts questionsSantana joins SA Aids fightFrance grants bail to Papa WembaFrance arrests al-Qaeda suspectsBorder shut after Africa soccer clashMozambique moved by HIV storyMalawi mulls democracy decadeRebels club Ugandans to deathFears for jailed Moroccan editorCameroon police arrest forgersWorld's water supply 'running low'Sanctions lifted in Sierra LeoneTownships hold breath for HIV decisionDrawing attention to Tanzanian women's rightsLiberia's Taylor in Accra 'ambush'Action divides Zimbabwe pressProgrammes and schedules		SEE ALSO: Q&A: DR Congo's ethnic flashpoint 13 May 03  |  Africa Congo promises dirty money crackdown 22 Apr 03  |  Business Rwanda denies DRC plundering 18 Feb 03  |  Business Timeline: Democratic Republic of Congo 08 Mar 03  |  Country profiles Q&A: Plunder in Congo 21 Oct 02  |  Business Top Ugandan army officer sacked 06 Jun 03  |  Africa RELATED INTERNET LINKS: Ugandan government UN Panel report (Word document) UN mission to the DRC The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites TOP AFRICA STORIES NOW Mauritania 'foils' coup attempt Westerners flee Liberian capital Mugabe foe faces new charges More troops for DR Congo town

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