President Yoweri Museveni has this afternoon evoked the National Resistance Army (NRA) bush war memories as he presided over the public funeral of fallen four-star General Elly Tumwine, who died Thursday of lung cancer while at the Aga Khan Hospital in Nairobi, Kenya.
The president was the chief mourner as relatives, friends and the public paid their last respects to the soldier who once commanded Uganda’s national army.
While addressing the gathering, Museveni expressed condolences to the bereaved family.
While addressing the gathering, the President expressed condolences to the family of Tumwine.
“I express on behalf of the NRM, the UPDF and the country, condolences to the family of Gen. Elly Tumwiine. Accept our heartfelt condolences,” the President said.
He, however, did not stop there.
The humourous Museveni evoked the NRA bush war days when he said that Tumwine’s mistake, which almost cost his life was God’s plan.
“[The] first firing of Tumwine was a mistake, even all people were angry with him, but actually God used him. The mistake was God’s plan,” Museveni recalled.
It is in writing and also told of how Tumwine cheated death during the bush war of 1980-1986 following the November attack at Bukomero. The senior army officer lost his eye in the attack, in which he fired the first bullet. Before his death, he commemorated 1st November annually to launch his songs and paintings in remembrance of the day he nearly died.
Museveni, did not conclude his speech without telling off those enjoying, in a negative way, Tumwine’s death.
According to the President, Tumwine achieved so much.
“People insulting Tumwine, are wasting their time because he has accomplished so much,” the President said.
Tumwine will be buried tomorrow at his home in Kazo.
