Gen. James Kazini murdered by girl friend

[ByaseL]

Maj. Gen. James Kazini, the former army commander, died Tuesday morning after his girlfriend, Lydia Draru, allegedly hit him with an iron bar.
Family and security sources say General Kazini was killed at his home in Namuwongo, a Kampala suburb near this newspaper’s offices on 8th Street, Industrial Area

 

[Ndahani]

Duuh hata Gen?

 

[Katavi]

Duuh hata Gen?

ahahahahahah.....Ndahani bwana kwani Gen hawezi kuwa dhaifu mbele ya g/friend?

 

[Matarese]

According to [URL="http://www.monitor.co.ug/"]http://www.monitor.co.ug/ [/URL]He had been accused of creating the 409 brigade in West Nile allegedly to topple President Museveni's government. Probably it was an undercover operation.

 

[TIMING]

According to http://www.monitor.co.ug/ He had been accused of creating the 409 brigade in West Nile allegedly to topple President Museveni's government. Probably it was an undercover operation.

Mkuu;

i have read the article and i was touched by the interview he made; what Kazini endured is common to most of sub-Saharan armies, we have a lot of puppets and hypocrisy is the rule of the game!! i don't know much about him but i read a few years ago that he was one of bad guys in US records... Not sure though

Sasa hilo la kuuawa na GF, i doubt!!! There must be a proper plan made as probably he would have blown things out of proportion

Just guessing

 

[Shapu]

Huyu jamaa alikuwa na kesi nyingi sana, kuna ile ya corruption, kuna ile ya kumpa kibano cha nguvu jamaa aliyekuewa anatembea na kimada wake... i hve been reading many stories about him.

 

[Junius]

Mshkaji kafa kama Balali vile so many unanswered questions on corruption scandal

 

[Tusker Bariiiidi]

Mshkaji kafa kama Balali vile so many unanswered questions on corruption scandal

Duh! sio kama Ouko au Tom Mboya

 

[ngoshwe]

AFANDE KAZINI ......WHO IS HE??????

The Article by Alfred Wasike And Henry Mukasa as published in The Uganda New Vision on 27 March 2008, describes Gen. James Kazini as follows:


" HE speaks softly, sports a well kept moustache and maintains a smile most of the time. He smokes Rex Cigarettes and drinks Guinness beer. He loves live band music and is a regular at Club Obligatto in Kampala, where the famous Afrigo Jazz Band plays. He actually owned a brass band called Umoja (unity) at Nateete, a city suburb. He frequently goes out with his wife Phoebe.
In the army circles, the former army commander, Major General James Kazini, is known to be a fearless officer.

It is this bold trait that endeared him to the Commander-in-Chief, who ignored incessant complaints about his limited education to consider his zeal and hardwork to allow him handle situations where Uganda's territorial integrity was threatened.

In March 1998, Kazini was deployed to Western Uganda to command "Operation Mountain Sweep" against the Alliance Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels.

Kazini extended the hunt to eastern DR Congo, where under "operation safe haven" he combed the jungles for the rebels. The operation had been okayed as a joint operation with the DRC under the late president Laurent Kabila.
On return to Western Uganda, he continued with "Operation mountain sweep" and oversaw the creation of the Alpine Brigade in the mountain Rwenzori region to fight the terrorist-tagged ADF. Of significance during his command in the Congo were the infamous 'Kisangani clashes' between Uganda and it's hitherto ally, Rwanda.
He was later sent to South Sudan for 'Operation Iron Fist' to wipe out the LRA, who used bases there to attack the North.

On return from the frontline in Congo, Kazini was accused of plundering resources of the neighbouring country in a UN report.
While government did not accept the UN accusations, Museveni set up a judicial commission of inquiry headed by Justice David Porter to probe the Ugandan officials named in the looting. Among the highlights Porter, accused Kazini of telling repeated lies.
For example, when asked why he had disobeyed President Museveni's orders forbidding him from helping Congolese businesses, Gen. Kazini replied politely: "I did not contradict the President, I was only being flexible your lordship."

In February 2005 the Police closed investigation files after the DPP recommended that there wasn't sufficient evidence to prefer criminal charges against Kazini for the alleged plunder.

On June 8, 2003 Kazini handed over the mantle of UPDF command to the then Maj. Gen. Aronda Nyakairima at an emotional function in Bombo, where he lamented that he had failed to quell the LRA rebellion under his tenure. He had promised to resign if the LRA had not been defeated by December 31, 2002.
Also in 2002, as if dogged by bad omen, the then ethics minister, Miria Matembe, asked Kazini to declare 200 bags of cement and a cow that the Kasese business community had donated to him.
The cement was for construction of a hotel in the district, but also an appreciation for helping rid the district of rebels. The then IGG, Jotham Tumwesigye demanded that Kazini complies as per the Leadership Code.

After three years, in 2005, Kazini delivered two truckloads of the cement to the office of IGG, Justice Faith Mwondha. Mwondha in turn dispatched the cement to the Ministry of Defence in Bombo.
But Kazini's current woes began in 2002, when Museveni directed the then defence minister, Amama Mbabazi to investigate Kazini and Brig. Henry Tumukunde, then ISO director general, over creating ghost soldiers in the army pay-roll.
A High Command committee chaired by the then Lt. Gen. David Tinyefuza began investigations and at various intervals allowed Kazini to return to Abuja where he was pursuing a course in military science.
The Tinye committee recommended Kazini's trial by the General Court Martial then chaired by Gen. Elly Tumwine.
He was yesterday convicted for causing financial loss and acquitted of abuse of office, forgery and uttering false document.

The conviction could mark the anti-climax of a soldiering career of the general that dates from the 1980s and has spanned over a quarter a century. He has been a recruit, private, commissioned officer, commander and head of a national army, all that a person who joins the military aspires for.

We should not forget his stint in the Uganda National Liberation Army.But before his conviction yesterday, early this month a scandal that could remain a dent on his illustrious career erupted.

Kazini was embroiled in a love triangle when he assaulted a Kampala doctor, Robert Kagoda. Kazini accused the doctor, a neighbour to his mistress, Winnie, of having an affair with her.
That the case was supposed to be settled out of court could be an indicatior that Kazini knew the labourious road court cases take. He opted for a short cut, but the three years in jail isn't"...............

Moses Sserwanga Mwandishi wa Daily Monitor anamwelezea afande Kazini kama ifuatavyo:
_______________________

" KAZINI'S LIFE: An officer with extra ordinary skills


Afande Kazini, as he was fondly referred to by his charges and friends, was a brave and no-nonsense commander who together with his late brother, Lt. Col Johnson Jet Mwebaze were some of the Luweero bush war veterans that were deployed by President Museveni to end the Allied Democratic Forces, (ADF) rebellion in western Uganda, in the mid 90s.

Unlike many other senior military officers, Gen. Kazini was never afraid of being in the company of journalists, taking them to the war frontline to have first hand information and later dining and wining with them as he looked forward to another day of battle field work. He took his security and that of his troops and civilians (including journalists) under his care seriously to the extent that he would arm "the Mchaka Mchaka graduates" as he routinely referred to some of us –in case things went out of hand.

Passionate soldier
His passion for good journalism was unrivalled- that on one occasion, when a landslide blocked the Fort Portal –Bundibugyo Road, he gave up his seat on a military helicopter to allow a journalist fly to the remote district to get the ‘real feel' about the progress of the war. Such are the sad twists and turns of life that the man who survived countless enemy bullets and bombs in the bitter cold Rwenzori Mountains and the inhabited jungles of DR Congo, yesterday morning succumbed to death in such a bizarre non-combat situation.

I SWEAR: Gen. Kazini takes oath during his trial in the General Court Martial. His military career stumbled when he was charged in November 2005 with creating ghost soldiers.

A soldier with extra-ordinary military skills but short on academic credentials, Kazini was still very articulate in explaining his military strategies. He always found time to talk to journalists- to let the general public know about what went on in the war zone. "We in the military should be accountable to the people who pay our salaries and they need to know what we are doing," he once stated.

One of the post bush war popular Generals, Kazini's presence at the frontline was such a morale booster to the UPDF troops- that they would walk long distances- at times on empty stomachs to secure the Rwenzori region. And his high military rank and achievements notwithstanding, at the battle field, Kazini joined his troops to sing army victory songs and would share a plate of posh and beans with privates. These are some of the fine attributes of the fallen war hero that will perhaps mark his place in history. May his soul rest in eternal peace.

Mr Sserwanga covered the ADF war for three years and is Saturday Monitor Editor.


Sad ending to the life of war general
Tabu Butagira
Kampala

He survived the fiercest of fights as a rebel and later built a solid military reputation by vanquishing guerilla groups fighting President Museveni's government. Yesterday, however, Maj. Gen. James Kazini, a former army commander, described by comrades as a "disciplined officer of action", died in a civilian's hand – tragically a fiancée.

Lydia Draru, a resident of Namuwongo, a Kampala suburb, has reportedly confessed to Police that she hit the general with an iron bar three times, inflicting deep cuts on the head. He bled and died in an unlikely place; a modest bungalow on the fringes of one of the city's sprawling slums.

The pair had spent an eventful day, according to Ms Draru. She cried – yes. But they also ate and drank at different bistros, among them the International Hotel in Muyenga, a city outskirt, before the dawn quarrel that ended in bloodletting.

Appreciates a performance by his favourite band Afrigo.

Such was not an expected felling of an illustrious, often controversial, military officer and successful guerilla fighter - both with the then Lt. Gen. Moses Ali-led Uganda National Rescue Front (UNRF) I in South Sudan and later the National Resistance Army in Luweero bushes. "He was a good fighter and respectful" Lt. Col. John Onaa, the former administrator general of UNRF I, who linked Gen. Kazini to NRA, said yesterday.


The rise
Gen. Kazini distinguished himself as best performer in military drills during his induction in the army in 1979, instantly earning the rank of Lance Corporal. He was posted to West Nile as a Company Sergeant Major but at the rank of Corporal.
He fought under the Uganda National Liberation Front/Army but got trapped in the region.

Fearing possible capture or killing by enemy forces, he, together with 11 other men, one being Corporal Jackson who later died in South Sudan, escaped through Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo). They eventually joined UNRF I that was at the time controlling vast parts of the now semi-autonomous South Sudan. Gen. Ali told Daily Monitor by phone from Adjumani District that his forces hosted the Kazinis for three years, restraining them to the guerilla headquarters since "we expected them to be with us temporarily". Gen. Ali and President Museveni, who then commanded the NRA, had struck a gentleman's agreement in Libya, to fight as comrades and Milton Obote II government, considered a common enemy.

In 1984, Gen. Kazini connected to NRA lair in Luweero, serving as the Aide de Camp to Commander Salim Saleh, the President's younger brother.

After NRA captured state power on January 26, 1986, Kazini was appointed commander of the 14th battalion in Gulu, before being recalled to Kampala on promotion as the commander of the brigade based in Lubiri and later of the Military Police. His career rise became a whirlwind, trapping in its trail controversy and scandals, many social in nature.

But nothing would go wrong as long as President Museveni, as the Commander-in-Chief, had faith in him. He was elevated to command the NRA Mechanised Brigade in Masaka District, replacing Col. Kizza Besigye.

The army High Command quickly decided that his field skills were handy to tackle the myriad rebel groups causing trouble mainly in West Nile from bases in eastern DRC and South Sudan.

Kazini with one of his lawyers Kenneth Kakuru at court.

Kazini was then assigned as the zonal commander overseeing West Nile and proudly obliterated the Col. Juma Oris-led West Nile bank Front and its successor outfit commanded by Maj. Gen. Taban Amin, son of former dictator Idi Amin.
Career success courts with it both rewards and hate. He reaped the former. Increasingly a trusted officer, Kazini was appointed the army Chief of Staff in 1998, and tasked to crack down on the Allied Democratic Forces rebels in western Uganda, a job he did with distinction.

It later emerged that operational funds at the time were recklessly spent, leading to Shs61 million loss. On March 27, 2008 the General Court Martial convicted Gen. Kazini, the Rwenzori-based Albertine Brigade commander Lt. Col. Dura Mawa and Capt. Michael Baryaguma. The trio was sentenced to three years in jail for mismanaging the funds by creating ghost soldiers on payroll.

Own army
This was, however, a lesser indictment. Gen. Kazini, accused of building a semi-autonomous army unit, the 409 brigade in West Nile, was facing trial for allegedly plotting to stage a coup. The military Court ruled in April 2008 that Gen. Kazini had a case to answer for "disobeying the Commander-in-Chief" in relation to deployment of troops. He was fired as army commander in 2003, just three years of being at the helm of the military, a surprising feat for a man of modest academic credential. In fact, his professional weakness and run-ins with subordinates emanated from the feeling that the elite soldiers were increasingly undermining and sabotaging his efforts.

Student Kazini
The fighter that he is, Gen. Kazini got back to school graduating with Masters Degree in Strategic Studies from military college in Ibadan, Nigeria.
Already, he had tripped from the luminous command summit to the disgrace of embarrassing trial by juniors. Frustrated, Gen. Kazini who up until his death yesterday was un-deployed took to heavy drinking, occasionally fighting at bars with patrons.

He shot to the limelight when he exchanged blows with a doctor over a woman.
These transgressions notwithstanding, the army leadership hailed him, rather posthumously, as fine officer. "He never believed a soldier could fail in anything," said Lt. Col. Felix Kulayigye, the military and defese spokesman. He added: "Gen. Kazini was an ardent believer in discipline and action." Indeed it was a tragedy in life, as in death, that the illustrious career soldier was a social failure, getting disrepute in his twilight for wayward conduct. Uganda's fights with Rwadan forces in Kisangani were blamed partly on his misjudgments. Gen. Kazini's life, too, has an awful end. May the soul of the former kindergarten teacher at the Kabamba Infantry Training School in 1975, rest in eternal peace.

Mazingira ya Kifo chake:

Lydia Draru ndo mwanamke anayetuhumiwa na kushikiliwa na mamlaka kwa kusababsiha kifo cha Afande Kazini. Lakini kama ilivyo kwa wanaume wengi Jasiri kama vile Samson (katika Maandiko ya Dini ya Kikristu), inaonekana kuwa ilikuwa rahisi kwa Afande huyu kunasa kwa mtego wa akina mama. Alipenda akina mama mpaka kifo kimemfika katika mazingira hayo y utata.

Kwa tabia yake ya kupenda wanawake, Afande Jenerali Kazini aliwahi kufananishwa na Zuma Presd wa Bondeni hususani pale alipozitwanga na Dr Robert Kagoda wa JBK Medical Centre, Buziga mwezi Machi, 2008 kumgombea Winnie Kente ambaye Jenero huyu marehemu (RIP) alidai kuwa ni mzazi mwenzie.......

Katuni hii ni kwa mujibu wa Daily Monitor (ug), Machi 9, 2008 iki kejeli tabia ya Afande Kazini kupenda saaaana kina mama!.

 

[Dr. Chapa Kiuno]

Rodney Muhumuza
Kampala

Maj. Gen. James Kazini was yesterday morning found dead in a two-bedroom house in Namuwongo, the apparent victim of an iron bar smashed against the back of his head. The former army commander was 52.

The suspected killer was a woman named Lydia Draru, his alleged mistress, who, before being arrested, is said to have told strangers arriving inside her gated compound that she was at peace with her decision. “I’ve done it. Now you can call the Police,” she cried out loud, attracting the attention of another neighbour, who told Daily Monitor that she was bathing her child when she heard angry voices coming from the house’s direction. The noises suggested that it was a case of domestic violence, she said.

Multiple sources, all of whom said they were among the earliest to arrive at the scene, described Ms Draru as “confused” in the wake of her alleged crime.
Ms Draru, whose name is the Lugbara word for “deathly,” was sharing the house with her younger sister, a student. It was not immediately clear what the woman did for a living. “I had always seen Kazini entering the house,” one neighbour, a woman in her 30s, told Daily Monitor. “But I thought that he had a relative there. I don’t know much about them.”

The neighbours requested anonymity, citing the need for privacy.
For over four hours, as police and security officers turned the house into a chaotic crime scene, Gen. Kazini’s body lay in a pool of his blood, some of it flowing out of the door and into the compound.

A broken table inside the living room suggested that the couple had had a scuffle before Gen. Kazini took the fatal hit, an account that was corroborated by the immediate neighbour. “I woke up when I heard them fighting,” said the neighbour, who has lived there at least two years longer than Ms Draru. “It was a big fight, but I could not tell what really was going on.” Police investigators seemed overwhelmed by the crime, and there were no clear answers by the time the body was driven away in a police ambulance, at 9.45am.

Wife arrives
It was not long after Gen. Kazini’s widow, Phoebe, had arrived at the scene, appearing firm as she entered the compound. But she was sobbing inconsolably as she left, her friends urging her to face the cameras with strength. Trade Minister Kahinda Otafiire, who was one of several army and intelligence officers to arrive at the crime scene, was heard telling police detectives to investigate whether the suspected killer “could have been assisted”.

His wife Phoebe Kazini (L) arrives accompanied by a relative

Police sources, speaking on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the case, said the killer’s motive was unclear, and that any investigation into the case should consider the possibility that she was not acting alone.
Official police sources were not readily available for comment. David Kazini, the victim’s nephew, said the former army chief was last seen at his Muyenga house at around 5am.

There, according to the boy, 23, Gen. Kazini proceeded to swap his UPDF vehicle for a luxury Land Cruiser, which was still parked outside Ms Draru’s house by 11am yesterday. “It is possible that he had been drinking,” the boy, who shares a house with the Kazini family, said yesterday. “He left the driver and took another car. It was about 6am when he left.” The boy, a student, said the family knew about Ms Draru, and that it was commonly believed that they had a child together. It was not possible to verify that account.

In 2003, Gen. Kazini was replaced by Gen. Aronda Nyakairima as army commander at an emotional function in Bombo, ending his reign at the top of an institution that employed him since the early days of the Museveni administration. His departure from the top job also predated a series of disciplinary and corruption cases that seemed to cast him in a role against the establishment. Gen. Kazini’s career had taken him to Congo, where he was accused of looting natural resources, and to northern Uganda, where he battled the Lord’s Resistance Army but failed to capture Joseph Kony.

People gather outside the house where Gen. Kazini was killed


Basongora unhappy he died redundant
Columbus Tusiime
Kasese

The Basongora leaders in Kasese have attributed the death of Maj. Gen. James Kazini to his redundancy. Mr. Wilson Okaali, the Chairman of the Basongora Group for Human Rights and Justice, said yesterday that Gen. Kazini, undeployed since June 5, 2003 when he was fired as army commander resorted to drinking because of his predicament.

“The General was idle and redundant and decided to associate with women and booze which has finally led to his death,” said Mr Okaali, who blamed President Museveni for keeping Gen. Kazini, one of his formerly trusted lieutenants, in the cold. The Basongora are Gen. Kazini’s kinsmen. The former army commander was a cult hero amongst his kith and kin who live in Kasese.

Source: http://www.monitor.co.ug/artman/publish/news/Shock_as_Gen_Kazini_is_murdered_94417.shtml