President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni who is also the Commander-In-
Chief (C-I-C) of the Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) has
hailed the fallen Gen. Elly Tumwine as a patriotic and resilient
man who continued with the struggle of liberating Uganda even
after sustaining facial injuries during the war that led to losing an
eye.
Gen. Elly Tumwine Tuhirirwe, one of the 42 people armed with 27
guns who attacked Kabamba barracks on February 6, 1981 to
launch the protracted war of the National Resistance Army (NRA)
that five years later in 1986 would usher the current government
to power, succumbed to cancer-related complications in Aga Khan
Hospital in Nairobi, Kenya, at the age of 68.
“Tumwine was a resilient man. Because he was injured badly at
Bukomero but healed and came back and continued with the
liberation struggle,” H.E Gen. Museveni said, adding that young
people should emulate him.
“So, that spirit of Patriotism and sacrifice, you the young people
you should learn from it”.
The President was speaking at a funeral service organised at Kololo
Independence Grounds to celebrate the life of a man who is
credited for having fired the first bullet that launched the five-year
NRA liberation struggle.
Gen. Museveni who recounted the times he taught Tumwine and
others in 1967 shortly after he had finished A- Level, gave a
detailed account of how the fallen soldier shot the first bullet at
Kabamba to capture 650 guns.
H.E the President said Tumwine was always active and involved in
other attacks in Masindi that led to the capture of 760 guns and
another attack in Hoima.
“This was God who did this actually. God used Tumwine to fire the
first bullet,” Museveni said, describing Tumwine as having
achieved a lot despite dying at 68.
“So, I am here to give this little testimony on Gen. Tumwine, dying
at 68. He was still young but had achieved a lot and I am very
happy to hear that he died a satisfied man,” H.E Museveni added.
The President also hailed Gen. Tumwine for having joined the
socio-economic transformation of his rural area in Kazo district
and had no kind words for those insulting the deceased.
“People insulting Tumwine are wasting their time because he’s
somebody who has accomplished so much,” Gen. Museveni said.
He said Gen. Tumwine has not died because he has left behind a
family and has done so much on earth that people will live to
remember.
“Tumwine has not died. He is abundant here. Giving birth
(oluzaaro) is part of eternity. So, what we do on earth really
matters,” Gen Museveni said.
On her part, the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports,
Mrs. Janet Museveni, eulogised Gen. Tumwine as someone who
lived a fruitful life and achieved his mission.
“We know that we will miss Tumwine, all of us seated here but we
believe that he is gone to a better place and we are grateful that he
has achieved his mission,” Mrs. Museveni said.
The family of the deceased General described their family head as
a unique and very rare human being who loved God, his country
Uganda, the army but above, all his family.
The widow, Jolly Tumwine, said her husband had a big, generous
heart and looked after and supported so many children who have
since graduated in various professions, describing the action as a
blessing and a great legacy which will never be erased.
“In the 35 years God gave us, I saw him grow in his walk with
Christ. He was very bold in testifying about what God had done in
his life and committed to preaching God’s words,” Jolly said.
The family thanked President Museveni for the support he has
rendered to them over the years up to now when they are seeing
off their dear father.
On behalf of the UPDF, the Chief of Defense Forces (CDF), Gen.
Wilson Mbasu Mbadi, said they have lost an accomplished leader
and mentor who has been a long-time member of the UPDF High
Command.
Gen. Mbadi said Gen. Tumwine has been a dedicated and
hardworking cadre who grasped the NRM/NRA ideology, passed it
on to others and practiced it and was very instrumental to the
restoration of peace and stability in Uganda.
“UPDF is, therefore, saddened by the loss of such a senior
professional cadre, whose input has contributed to the
environment that we are enjoying now,” Gen. Mbadi said.
The funeral service at Kololo was led by Bishop Emeritus Edward
Muhima of North Kigezi Diocese who preached passionately about
the meaning of life and death from the first book of Thessalonians.
He described Gen. Tumwine as a Christian soldier, tough but also
generous.
“General Elly Tumwine was a tough-minded soldier but tender-
hearted born again Christian who would challenge evil but at the
same time had love and a heart for those who would disagree with
him and would accommodate them in his heart,” Bishop Muhima
said, adding that the fallen General was a serious man and yet very
modest in his life.
Mr. Enos Tumusiime, on behalf of friends, described Gen.
Tumwine as one who lived a full life and died a satisfied man who
believed that he had fulfilled his mission on earth.
“He loved the army. Your Excellency, you had a disciple for the
army in the name of Tumwine,” Mr. Tumusiime said.
The State Minister for Defense and Veteran Affairs, Hon. Jacob
Oboth Oboth, also addressed the mourners.
The ceremony was attended by among others, the Speaker of
Parliament, Rt. Hon. Anita Among, Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny-
Dollo, 2nd Deputy Prime Minister, Lt. Gen. Moses Ali, Cabinet
Ministers and Ministers of State, Members of Parliament (MPs),
diplomats, senior security officers, and friends of General
Tumwine.
After the service, Gen. Tumwine’s body was airlifted by chopper to
Rwemikoma in Kazo district where he will be buried tomorrow,
Tuesday, August 30, 2022.
