The former security Minister Gen Elly Tumwine has been reported dead two weeks after being admitted at the Aghakhan hospital in Kenya’s Capital , Nairobi.
The four-star General had been battling an undisclosed illness when he was first hospitalized in a Ugandan hospital, before being referred to Kenya for further treatment.
Gen. Tumwine reportedly collapsed at a wedding and was admitted to Nakasero Hospital in Kampala, in July 2022. When his condition deteriorated, he was flown to the Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi.
The former security Minister retired from active military service in July 2022.On Monday 16 May 2022, Tumwiine was among 34 generals who were retired from the UPDF
Prior to his retirement, he was appointed Minister for Security on March 4, 2018, replacing Lt. Gen Henry Tumukunde. He served in that position until 2021 when he was replaced by Gen Jim Muhwezi.
Gen Tumwine is known to be the the longest serving Chairman of the UPDF General Court Martial and UPDF representative in Parliament until May last year.
In September 2005, he was promoted to the rank of General in the UPDF and named to chair the UPDF General Court Marshal.
In 1984, Tumwine was named Commander of the Army, a post he held until 1987, when he was succeeded by General Salim Saleh.
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.
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.
BACKGROUND
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.
He 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. Tumwine also holds further military qualifications from the military academy in Vystry, in the Soviet Union.
Arts Career
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.
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 alias Bobi whole 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.
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 alias Bobi whole 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.
This led United States of America to sanction the Ugandan Generals over Human rights abuses. He is also a member of the Ugandan Parliament, representing the Uganda People’s Defence Force.
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