By Spy Uganda
The family of Gen. Elly Tumwine has today issued a statement on the rumours circulating on social media about the General’s life.
The statement reads “On behalf of the family of Gen. Tumwine, we hereby dispel rumours circulating on social media in regard to his health and well-being. Thank you for the love and prayers”.
On behalf of the family of Gen. Tumwine, we hereby dispel rumours circulating on social media in regards to his health and well-being. Thank you for the love and prayers. pic.twitter.com/XTXKa2hdYq
— Hon. Gen Elly Tumwine (@GenTumwine) August 13, 2022
The statement was posted on his Twitter account – @GenTumwine at 00:16 HRS on 14th August 2022.
Social media has been awash with rumours since Saturday evening of the former Security Minister’s death which the family has now addressed, stating that it is fake news.
For days now, Tumwine has been admitted at Nakasero Hospital over a cancer-related illness.
Gen Tumwine was until last year in June the Security Minister who oversaw the election security before he was dropped and President Museveni appointed Maj Gen Jim Katugugu Muhwezi as his predecessor.
Gen Elly Tumwine joined the army in 1979 after undergoing a cadet course at Tanzania Military Academy, Munduli. He trained with officers like Gen Katumba Wamala, the late Lt Gen Pecos Kutesa, Gen Joram Mugume, the late Napoleon Rutambika and Maj Gen Steven Kashaka.
After his training, he joined President Yoweri Museveni to launch the National Resistance Army’s struggle against the government of President Milton Obote in 1981.
He has been credited for firing the first bullet during the attack on Kabamba barracks on February 6, 1981, which launched the armed struggle that brought President Museveni to power in 1986.
When NRA captured power in the same year, he became the first NRA Army commander and had been in parliament representing the army since then until last year, making him the longest uninterrupted serving Member of Parliament.
