GULU, Uganda — Gen. Salim Saleh, a senior presidential advisor on security and coordinator of Operation Wealth Creation, is pushing for a “political ceasefire” and inter-party dialogue in Uganda, acknowledging concerns raised by European Union ambassadors about controversial online comments by Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba.
During a retreat in Gulu on Tuesday, EU ambassadors expressed alarm over recent tweets from Gen. Kainerugaba that reportedly threatened foreign diplomats with expulsion, arrest, and embassy closures. Jan Sadek, the EU Ambassador to Uganda, specifically raised these concerns with Gen. Saleh.
Related posts
Gen. Saleh, also known as Caleb Akandwanaho, responded that the matter involving the Chief of Defence Forces would be addressed through diplomatic channels. “There should be immediate ceasefire for meaningful dialogue to take place,” Saleh said, urging the EU to facilitate such engagement. Ambassador Sadek later indicated his agreement with pursuing the matter diplomatically.
The EU delegation had met with Saleh to discuss Operation Wealth Creation’s role in Northern Uganda’s post-conflict transformation.
Saleh underscored the need to diffuse political tensions ahead of the 2026 general election, warning that rising criminality and hate speech, particularly from some opposition politicians, risk derailing national development programs and could lead to widespread violence. He cited the 2011 Arab Spring as a cautionary tale where small tensions escalated quickly. “This is why security responds the way it does to prevent escalations,” he said, adding that authorities are studying the root causes of election violence.
OWC’s Focus and Development Appeals
Saleh outlined Operation Wealth Creation’s (OWC) primary focus on ensuring food security for Uganda’s population, projected to reach 60 million by 2040. He also mentioned ongoing studies into the “land-capital balance sheet,” highlighting insufficient capital for production and inadequate labor in the Acholi sub-region.
He reiterated that Uganda’s economic transformation is a key priority identified in the 2004 defense White Paper, which listed 134 threats to the country’s economic path to 2040, with only four being military-related.
Saleh accused the opposition of a “deliberate campaign of falsehoods” against the government in Parliament and on social media. “When you say these guys are the biggest thieves, it becomes a narrative in Parliament and the civil society,” he stated. “So, let us ceasefire and develop capacity to listen to each other, which we did from the first day when we listened to the National Unity Platform.”
Our 🇪🇺 Ambassadors at the #EUHoMsinGulu visit enjoyed a vibrant discussion with Gen. Salim Saleh, @OWC_ug Chief Cordinator, on critical issues affecting Northern 🇺🇬 & the country. They explored opportunities to strengthen the #EUandUganda partnership to spur economic growth. pic.twitter.com/CSlAecPDuw
— EU in Uganda (@EUinUG) May 22, 2025
Saleh highlighted OWC’s core objective to integrate citizens into the money economy through productive engagement. While acknowledging the EU’s consistent investment in Northern Uganda, he criticized many interventions for lacking robust sustainability plans, leading to underutilized infrastructure like food warehouses in the region.
He called on a team of intellectuals, led by OWC principal advisor David Pulkol, to present papers on re-evaluating donor community interventions in Northern Uganda to boost the region’s economic portfolio.
Pulkol, in his presentation, argued that northern Uganda desperately needs economic uplift despite receiving 3.92 trillion Ugandan shillings (approximately $1 billion) in donor investment since 2003. According to Uganda Bureau of Statistics studies, northern Uganda remains the second poorest region in the country, after Karamoja, struggling with high poverty and low literacy rates.
Pulkol suggested that while investments in health, gender, and water are “socially appealing,” they are “economically timid.” He proposed that the EU invest $10 billion in the East African Crude Oil Pipeline and 100 million Euros in Uganda’s innovation fund and value addition to drive economic transformation. He also advocated for integrating new initiatives with peacebuilding, political stability, and supporting electoral dialogue.1
Dr. Sallie Kayunga Simba, a commissioner at the Electoral Commission, affirmed the commission’s readiness for the 2026 elections. She noted that electoral demarcation and voter register updates have proceeded peacefully, with a tribunal handling only a few complaints. She added that the matter concerning the recent Kawempe North Parliamentary byelection is currently before the court.
