Former Security Minister, Gen Elly Tumwine has been pronouced dead, succumbing to lung cancer, at least according to the President of the Republic of Uganda and Chief of Defense Forces, Rtd. Gen. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni in a statement released on Thursday morning.
Tumwine, two weeks ago, was airlifted to Aga Khan Hospital in Nairobi, where he has been hospitalized for a couple of days.
Different Media Houses and dignitaries including the Speaker of Parliament Anita Among have expressed their sadness to the passing on the Gen.
Tumwine was rumored dead a few days ago something the UPDF Spokesperson Brig Felix Kulaigye dismissed, confirming that the 1986 bush war veteran was in critical condition but not dead prior to being airlifted to Kenya. His family also revealed then that he was still alive although he was fighting for his life.
Gen. Tumwine was appointed minister for security on March 4, 2018, replacing Lt. Gen Henry Tumukunde. Besides being a minister for security, Gen. Tumwine was the longest serving Chairman of the UPDF General Court Martial and UPDF representative in parliament until May last year.
In November 2020, Gen Tumwine came under fire when he said police had the power to shoot and kill anyone violating the law while responding to questions from journalists about why security had killed over 50 people during simultaneous protests triggered by the arrest of then National Unity Platform-NUP presidential candidate, Robert Kyagulanyi while campaigning in Luuka district.
He is also remembered for pointing fingers and warning the former Deputy Chief of Defence Forces, Lt Gen Charles Angina to stop meddling and engaging the army in land matters after the former deployed soldiers on disputed land in Muyenga.
Military background
Joining the army in 1978 , Tumwine later joined then rebel leader Yoweri Museveni to the bush to form the National Resistance Army (NRA).
In 1984, he was named commander of the army, a post he held for three years until 1987, when he was succeeded by General Salim Saleh.
In September 2005, he was promoted to the rank of general in the UPDF and chairperson of the UPDF General Court Martial in Makindye where among the persons arraigned before him was opposition strongman, Dr.Kizza Besigye and charged with treason.
The case was later transferred to the civilian court.
During his career, Gen Tumwine also served as Minister of State for Defence in 1989, Director General of the External Security Organization (ESO) from 1994 until 1996, presidential adviser on security from 1996 until 1998, chairman of the High Command Appeals Committee from 1986 until 1999.
Tumwine has also previously represented the UPDF in the Parliament.
