- Salim Saleh
Salim Saleh (born Caleb Akandwanaho,
14 January ,1960 ), is theUganda nMinister of State forMicrofinance , and formerly a high ranking military official ofUPDF , the armed forces of Uganda. He is a brother of the currentPresident of Uganda ,Yoweri Museveni . Salim Saleh has featured in controversies regarding corruption, including being implicated by theUN Security Council for plundering natural resources in Congo (DRC).Military career
In 1976, aged 16, he left Kako Secondary School in
Masaka to join theFront for National Salvation (FRONASA), aTanzania -based rebel group formed and led by his brotherYoweri Museveni to fight against the regime ofIdi Amin . Together with his friendFred Rwigyema and his brother Museveni, he trained inMozambique withSamora Machel 's FRELIMO rebels. It was there that he adopted Salim Saleh" [http://allafrica.com/stories/200606050628.html Uganda: Our Politicians: Gen. Caleb Akandwanaho] ", "New Vision" (published online by "AllAfrica"), June 5, 2006] as his "nom de guerre ". In 1978, FRONASA merged with other anti-Amin groups in Tanzania and formed theUganda National Liberation Army (UNLA), who together with Tanzanian armed forces capturedKampala in April 1979 – sending Idi Amin to exile. Saleh was later made a platoon commander of a UNLA unit inMoroto District .Following the bitterly contested December 1980 elections, Museveni declared an armed rebellion against the UNLA and the government of
Milton Obote . Salim Saleh joined his brother'sNational Resistance Army (NRA) and the guerilla war known as "the bush war", that would last until 1986. In January 1986, Salim Saleh commanded NRA's assault on Kampala, which eventually led to the demise ofTito Okello 's regime, with Museveni becoming president. NRA became the national army, and was renamedUganda People's Defence Force (UPDF), with Salim Saleh as a commander.Saleh proceeded to command the army against rebel groups that were remnants of the UNLA, including
Uganda People's Democratic Army (UPDA), in northern parts of the country. He was instrumental in working out a peace deal with the UPDA. In 1989, following accusations of corruption, he was sacked from the army by his brother. He later became the senior presidential advisor on defence and security (1996 – 1998), and a commander in the reserve force (1990 – 2001), involved in resettling army veterans of the bush war.Controversies
While still in the army, Salim Saleh ventured into private business and
philanthropy , setting up a string of businesses ranging fromreal estate toaviation , and becoming one of Uganda's wealthiest businessmen, but also getting involved in several corruption scandals.Uganda Commercial Bank
In 1998, Salim Saleh resigned from his post as presidential advisor, following allegations that Greenland Investments, a company in which he was a major stakeholder, had used the Malaysian company, Westmont, to illegally purchase shares in Uganda's largest bank, the now defunct
Uganda Commercial Bank (UCB)" [http://hrw.org/reports/1999/uganda/Uganweb-11.htm The role of the International Community] ", "Human Rights Watch "] " [http://www.africa.upenn.edu/eue_web/hoa1298.htm UPDF Regional Issues] ", "Horn of Africa: The Monthly Review, 11-12/98"] . His brother, President Museveni, later said he'd sacked Salim Saleh, not for his involvement in the scandal, but for "indiscipline and drunkenness" in the army.Junk helicopters
In 1998, Salim Saleh's company purchased helicopters for the army, for which he received a commission of $800,000. The helicopters turned out to be junk" [http://allafrica.com/stories/200605300425.html Uganda: Museveni's New-Look Cabinet Shows He's in Charge] ", "The East African" (published online by "AllAfrica"), May 30, 2006] .
Involvement in Congo (DRC)
Salim Saleh was specifically implicated in a
UN Security Council report for being involved in the illegal exploitation of natural resources from Congo (DRC) during theSecond Congo War " [http://www.oecd.org/document/6/0,2340,en_2649_34889_27217798_1_1_1_37461,00.html Final Report of the Panel of Experts on the Illegal Exploitation of Natural Resources and Other Forms of Wealth of the Democratic Republic of the Congo] ", "UN Security Council - S/2002/1146 (excerpts)", October 16, 2002] . The government of Uganda dismissed the report, and no punitive actions were taken against those involved" [http://www.monitor.co.ug/specialincludes/ugprsd/2006elect/elect12252.php Museveni to blame for DR Congo scandal] ", "Daily Monitor", December 25, 2005] .Latest developments
Prior to the 2006 General Elections, Salim Saleh went back to school and obtained an A-level certificate, the minimum requirement to become a member of parliament in Uganda. Following the elections, he was appointed Minister of State for
Microfinance " [http://www.newvision.co.ug/D/8/12/503025 Keep out of trouble, Museveni warns Saleh] ", "New Vision ", June 9, 2006] .References
External links
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