Uganda is mourning the death of General Elly Tumwiine who succumbed to lung cancer at a Nairobi hospital.
Confirming the news was President Yoweri Museveni who recalled back then when he used to be his teacher at Burunga Primary school back in 1967.
“Countrymen and Countrywomen, especially the NRM- NRA- UPDF fraternity. With deep sorrow, I announce the death of General Elly Tumwiine which occurred at 5:46 am this morning in Nairobi, from lung cancer.
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According to his widow, with whom I have just talked on the telephone, Gen. Tumwiine was now 68 years old. I had taught him at Burunga Primary School in 1967, after our A-levels, as a student teacher, before going to university, later that year.
He joined FRONASA with 9000 others in 1979, went to Monduli Military School in Tanzania, and was the one who fired the first shot on the 6th February 1981, at Kabamba, at the beginning of the 1981-1986 war of Resistance.” said President Museveni
During his time in the government, the late General Elly served in different capacities on matters of security among them the Minister of Security.
“Since that time, Gen. Tumwiine has been part of the leadership of the NRA- UPDF as well as serving the government in various capacities. Those capacities included being Army- Commander, member of the High Command, Director-General of Intelligence, Minister of Security, etc.
He has been a dedicated and hard-working cadre. More will be said about him later. Condolences to his family, to the NRA-UPDF- NRM fraternity, and to all Ugandans. May his soul rest in eternal peace.” Said, Museveni