Kazo: Gen Elly Tumwine laid to rest
Thousands of mourners have today gathered at the ancestral home of Former Security Minister, Gen Elly Tumwine in Mukuru village, Rwemikoma Sub -County, Kazo district for his final send off.
The chief mourner; Prime Minister; Rt. Hon.Robinah Nabbanja, who represented the president at the funeral described Tumwine as a great patriot, freedom fighter, and genuine friend.
Nabbanja told mourners she would remember Gen Tumwine as a “straightforward mentor of many and a man who spoke what he believed to be true no matter what.
Several dignitaries graced Tumwine’s final send-off including; Hon John Nasasira, former Minister of Works and Transport, General Edward Katumba Wamala, the Minister of Works and Transport, Hon. Jacob Oboth Oboth, the Minister of State for Defence, Maj. Gen. Kahinda Otafiire, the Minister of Internal Affairs, Maj. Gen. Jim Muhwezi, the Minister of Security, Rtd. Lt. Gen. Henry Tumukunde, former Security Minister and Maj. Gen. Mugisha Muntu, former Army Commander, members of parliament, representatives from security agencies, veteran politicians, religious leaders, and local leaders among others.
Gen Kahinda Otafiire told mourners that Gen Elly Tumwine sent him a message before he left for Nairobi saying he was not coming back and also asked him not to divert from what they were fighting for.
One of Gen Elly Tumwine’s daughters asked the public to forgive him; “Daddy talked about forgiveness during his last moments on earth. I ask for forgiveness from all those my dad wronged and even those who wronged him, he forgave you. May we choose forgiveness and peace from now on,” said Edna Tumwine.
Gen Tumwine, 68, was buried just hours before the event in which he was set to officially be retired from the army which he has served since 1979.
Tumwine who is Uganda’s longest serving army representative in Parliament died from Lung cancer at Aga Khan Hospital in Nairobi, Kenya on Thursday, August 25th.
Gen Tumwine was an educator, professional artist and a military officer.
Gen. Elly Tumwine who shot the first bullet that initiated the NRA Liberation Struggle, served as an army commander and Security Minister was duly accorded a 17-gun salute.
