Yesterday, I was honoured to prepare and present the profile of the founder of AfriAid, Gen. Saleh, to guests who turned up at the inauguration of the initiative and fundraiser for South Sudan food at Serene Suites, Mutundwe. Will share tit bits: Gen. Saleh, is a candle that lights other candles. He has been my Chairman and Commander for over a decade. I am, therefore, very honoured to be invited by the founder of AfriAid to present his journey and contribution to Ugandas socio-economic realm and his focus on food security as a witness who saw the footsoldier convert from active military sevice to civilian life, learning from mistakes and confronting all manner of odds for public good. I am very priviledged to present this icon to a very distinguished audience of ladies and gentlemen who have turned up for a Pan-African cause to contribute to hunger relief of our brothers and sisters in South Sudan who are now feeding on grass and leaves. .... General Salehs legacy is etched on peace, on unimaginable sacrifice, and mistakes he is not ashamed to admit. One day, he ordered a helicopter to fly to a rebel camp in Palabek, Kitgum district, in order to hold a meeting with UPDAs Brigadier Odong Latek without the knowledge of the Commander-in-Chief nor the High Command. He convinced the insurgents to abandon rebellion and thousands were integrated into the National Resistance Army. Although he was charged for endagering the life of a senior army officer (his own life), the risk Gen. Saleh took by flying into enemy territory, when he was the most wanted man having commanded offensives against insurgency, disarmed our brothers who had picked arms against their government. Gen. Salehs magnanimity and belief that human beings are basically good led to the March 1988 peace negotiations that paved way for the surrender of UPDAs Lt. Col. Okello with over 3000 troops. He is not a stranger to peace efforts in Uganda and in the region, yet he will not seek credit, he rather works from behind the scenes. ....... In November last year, Gen. Saleh parted with his home in exchange for capital he, the same year, invested in Kapeka where he had for years been leading a maize revolution. He has converted a hitherto rural village to an industrial estate whose only challenge now is water and managing industrial waste like a typical urban city. Namunkekera Rural Industrial Estate was launched by President Museveni in February this year. The initiative has so far created 400 jobs apart from the residents who earn dividends from their fields and more from value-addition. Following massive success in Kapeka, Gen. Saleh was appointed to command Operation Wealth Creation. The last 3 planting seasons has produced a food surplus that he believes we should not make a quick buck out of, but use it to feed the hungry, feed our brothers and sisters in war affected areas, refugee camps, and indeed every one who cannot feed themselves. Food Security is close to the heart of the General. When the Commander-in-Chief sent him to Kimaka, an opportunity to condense his ideas, Gen. Salehs thesis was Focus on Security. We expected the revered freedom fighter to write a thesis on, for instance, How to convert a guerilla force into a professional conventional one or say How States with porous borders secure and defend territory. He focused on security and this was not surprising. The General believes Africans must take charge of their affairs and must cooperate in every sense. It is in this spirit that he conceived AfriAid, an idea that has lived at the back of his mind for decades.
Posted on: Thu, 11 Dec 2014 11:59:14 +0000
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