Gen Tumwine Cleared of Contempt of Parliament

By Wilson Kakuru On Aug 22, 2019 2,865

Minister of Security, Gen. Elly Tumwine, addressing Parliament recently. Courtesy photo

Parliamentarians on the Committee of Rules, Privileges, and Discipline have cleared Security Minister Hon Gen Elly Tumwine of allegations relating to contempt of Parliament.

The MPs in a ten-member majority report indicated that utterances by Gen Tumwine did not undermine or impede the authority of Parliament.

The committee chairperson Mr Clement Obote, while presenting the report on the floor of Parliament on Wednesday evening explained: “Whereas it is true that Gen Tumwine made the utterances, they did not necessarily amount to contempt of Parliament.”

Mr Atkins Katusabe, in his submission, both to Parliament and the committee indicated that Gen Tumwine questioned the authority of the speaker over a security squabble in Bukonjo West.

The ten MPs include; Mr Clement Ongalo Obote, the chairperson, Mr Edward Makmot Otto, Jacob Opolot, Lowila Oketayot, James Acidri, Mr John Bosco Ikojo; Mr Apollo Masika; Mr Abdu Katuntu, Mr Ssempala Kigozi, and Mr Wilfred Niwagaba.

The MPs, acting on instructions of the Speaker wanted to find out Gen Tumwine had abused his colleague, Mr Atiks Katusabe (FDC Bukonjo West) and uttered statements that demean Parliament or not.

The alleged utterances

“Who is the Speaker? Who is she? What is Parliament? The Speaker rules over Parliament. She does not rule over Uganda. This country was liberated by the military but not her Parliament. Don’t tell me about your Speaker and your Parliament. The army cannot be directed by civilians,” Gen Tumwine reportedly told Mr Katusabe.

The committee however found that Gen Elly Tumwine freely expressed his view in an informal meeting and never intended the contents of the discussion to be publicized or conveyed to third parties.

The committee also recommended that “matters that arise out of informal or private discussions and engagements should be resolved in informal ways. Where colleagues seek to engage either the executive arm of government or Parliament on matters regarding their constituencies or the country at large, they should explore formal mechanisms that call for accountability and action in case of failure by the responsible officers.”

On the issue of intimidating Cecilia Ogwal. the Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga said that she would hold meetings in her chambers with the various parties to resolve the matter conclusively.