GULU, UGANDA — Gen. Salim Saleh, Senior Presidential Advisor on Security and Coordinator of Operation Wealth Creation (OWC), has called for a “political ceasefire” and national dialogue, in response to growing concerns over political tensions and controversial social media remarks made by Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba.
Speaking during a high-level meeting with European Union ambassadors in Gulu on Tuesday, Gen. Saleh — also known as Caleb Akandwanaho — emphasized the urgent need for inter-party engagement to safeguard Uganda’s peace and development ahead of the 2026 general elections.
The meeting was convened to assess the progress of OWC in transforming post-conflict Northern Uganda. However, it shifted focus when EU Ambassador to Uganda, Jan Sadek, voiced alarm over recent tweets from Gen. Muhoozi that allegedly threatened foreign diplomats with expulsion and embassy shutdowns.
In response, Gen. Saleh acknowledged the sensitivity of the matter and assured the EU delegation that it would be handled through appropriate diplomatic avenues. “For any meaningful dialogue to happen, there must be an immediate ceasefire — politically and rhetorically,” he said. Ambassador Sadek reportedly concurred, welcoming Saleh’s commitment to addressing tensions diplomatically.
Gen. Saleh warned that political hostility, coupled with escalating hate speech from some opposition actors, could derail development and potentially incite violence. He drew comparisons to the 2011 Arab Spring uprisings, cautioning that seemingly minor tensions could trigger nationwide instability. “Security forces act to prevent such scenarios from unfolding,” he noted, adding that government institutions are examining the root causes of past election-related violence.
Reaffirming the mission of OWC, Saleh outlined a strategy focused on securing Uganda’s food supply for a projected population of 60 million by 2040. He also discussed research underway on the imbalance between land, labor, and capital in underdeveloped regions like Acholi.
Referring to Uganda’s 2004 Defence White Paper, Saleh said the country’s economic future faces 134 threats — with only four of them military. “Our real battle is economic transformation,” he stressed.
He criticized what he termed as deliberate misinformation campaigns targeting the government. “When you call government officials thieves on the floor of Parliament and social media, it shapes public perception and hampers progress,” he argued. Saleh urged all political actors to embrace dialogue and understanding, praising initial efforts to engage opposition groups like the National Unity Platform (NUP).
Gen. Saleh also challenged the sustainability of some foreign-funded development projects in Northern Uganda. Despite substantial EU investment, he said, many facilities — such as food warehouses — remain underutilized due to poor planning.
To address this, he tasked a team led by OWC principal advisor David Pulkol with reassessing donor-funded initiatives. Pulkol highlighted that although Northern Uganda has received nearly 4 trillion shillings (approximately $1 billion USD) in donor support since 2003, the region still lags economically, ranking just above Karamoja in poverty and literacy metrics.
Pulkol urged the EU to consider larger, economically transformative investments — including $10 billion in the East African Crude Oil Pipeline and 100 million Euros into Uganda’s innovation fund and value addition sectors. He also emphasized the need for all economic efforts to be tied to peacebuilding and political stability.
Also present was Dr. Sallie Kayunga Simba from the Electoral Commission, who provided assurances on the country’s preparedness for the 2026 elections. She reported steady progress in voter register updates and constituency demarcation, with minimal disputes currently under tribunal or court review, including the recent Kawempe North by-election.
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