By Hannah Marion Namukasa
The former Security Minister, Gen Elly Tumwine has reportedly died. The four-star General has been battling an undisclosed illness in a hospital in Kenya’s capital Nairobi where he was airlifted a fortnight ago. This has been confirmed by the president of Uganda H.E Yoweri Kaguta Museveni
WHO IS GEN. ELLY TUMWINE
General Elly Tumwine (12 April 1954 – 25 August 2022) has been a Ugandan military officer, professional artist, and educator. He was the Security Minister in the Cabinet of Uganda, from March 2018 until 2021.He retired from active military service in July 2022.
Tumwine served as commander of the National Resistance Army from 1984 to 1987. He was one of the highest-ranking members of the Ugandan military who said it was okay for police to shoot at violent (have reached a certain level of violence) protesters (who attacked police, blocked public roads with burning tyres, looted shops, tribally attacked fellow civilians). He also ordered the military illegally incarcerate and send opposition members to be tried in military courts based on trumped up charges (no examples given), which resulted in Bobi Wine supporters suing for Human Rights violations. This led the United States of America to sanction the Ugandan generals over human rights abuses. He was a member of the Ugandan Parliament, representing the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF).[3][4]
Early life and education
Elly Tumwine was born on 12 April 1954, in Burunga, Mbarara District. He attended Burunga Primary School, Mbarara High School and St. Henry’s College Kitovu, before joining Makerere University, where in 1977, he graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Fine Art together with the Diploma in Education; abbreviated:BA (FA)/Dip. Ed. He specialised in the history of art painting.
Tumwine subsequently graduated from the Cadet Officers Course at the Tanzania Military Academy at Monduli. He also attended the Senior Command Course at the Uganda Senior Command and Staff College at Kimaka, in Jinja, Uganda, being a member of the pioneer class that graduated in 2005.[5] Tumwine also held further military qualifications from the military academy in Vystry, in the Soviet Union.
Military career
In 1978, he interrupted his teaching career to join the FRONASA forces led by Yoweri Museveni to fight the Idi Amin regime. In 1981, when Museveni went to the bush to form the National Resistance Army (NRA), Elly Tumwine went with him. He is reported to have fired the first shot in the National Resistance Army War, which propelled the National Resistance Army and National Resistance Movement into power in Uganda in 1986.[6] During the fighting between the NRA and the UNLA, Tumwine sustained facial injuries that led to loss of sight in one eye.[7] In 1984, Tumwine was named Commander of the Army, a post he held until 1987, when he was succeeded by General Salim Saleh. Over the years, he served in various positions, including:
- Minister of State for Defence in 1989.
- Director General of the External Security Organization (ESO) from 1994 until 1996.
- Presidential Adviser from 1996 until 1998
- Chairman of the High Command Appeals Committee from 1986 until 1999.
Tumwine also continuously represented the UPDF in the Ugandan Parliament from 1986.[8]
In September 2005, he was promoted to the rank of general in the UPDF and named to chair the UPDF General Court Marshal.[9]
On 16 May 2022, Tumwiine was among 34 generals who were retired from the UPDF.[1]
Human rights
Elly Tumwine was regularly connected to violence against Ugandans. After Bobi Wine was arrested on 18 November 2020 in Luuka, protests broke out which were met with excessive violence. Elly Tumwine told the public that the police have the right “to shoot you and kill you.
Art
Immediately after graduating from Makerere University in 1977, Elly Tumwine embarked on a teaching career in various schools in Uganda, teaching fine art. After the National Resistance Movement victory in 1986, he resumed his art. While serving as the commander of the NRA, he designed the flag, the emblem and the green and camouflage uniforms of the army. He was appointed the chairman of the board of trustees of the National Cultural Centre. In 1992, he launched his company, The Creations Limited, to promote the arts and crafts industry, encouraging artistic values and creativity. The company is a member of several Ugandan organisations, including:
- Uganda Manufacturers Association
- Uganda Small Scale Industries Association
- Uganda Leather Allied Industries Association
In 2015, Elly Tumwine co-authored a book, The Achievements of the NRM Revolution, with Dr Gilbert Gumoshabe of Makerere University. The book highlighted the initial near total breakdown of Uganda by previous regimes and what had caused the problems that that situation. The 191 page book further explains the political ideology of NRM and elaborated on how the liberation of Uganda started. It explains in details what has been achieved politically, socio-economically, security and other aspects of life since 1986 when the NRA/M took over power in Uganda. The book was launched by President Yoweri Museveni in 2016 at a national function in Buikwe, Eastern Uganda.
Death
Tumwine collapsed at a wedding and was admitted to Nakasero Hospital in Kampala, sometime in July 2022. When his condition deteriorated, he was flown to the Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi. He died there on 25 August 2022, at the age of 68.
