BOMBO — Gen. Elly Tumwine, a long life representative of the army in Parliament will miss out in the 11th Assembly after the UPDF Council voted him out in Friday’s polls.
As the public focused on the arrival of Lt. Gen. Peter Elwelu, the story of the night was perhaps the voting out of Gen. Tumwine, a historical member of the UPDF High Command who has become a controversial figure in the public domain especially in the run up to the 2021 elections, when he said at a press conference that “the police had the right to shoot and kill” any members of the public involved in demonstrations.
Gen. Tumwine polled 104 votes, and failed to cut into the top seven on the men’s ticket and will for the first time since 1989, miss out in Parliament.
Gen. Tumwine who is famed for having fired the first bullet that set the bush war always has been on a collision path with some fellow legislators and was in the news over threatening fellow MPs in parliament but was narrowly let off the hook after a parliamentary investigation.
But he has always pulled the “we fought to bring peace in this country” card to silence critics.
Gen. Tumwine has now joined a long list of long serving members of President Museveni’s Cabinet who suffered defeat in the recent elections.
At least 13 of cabinet ministers, including the vice-president, were defeated in the parliamentary elections, many losing to candidates from Bobi Wine’s party.
Apparently, the army will be represented by the Chief of Defense Force (CDF) Gen. David Muhoozi and UPDF Commander Land Forces Lt General Peter Elwelu, Gen Edward Katumba Wamala, Lt Gen Wilson Mbasu Mbadi, Lt Gen James Mugira, Maj Gen Henry Matsiko and Maj. Gen Sam Kavuma.
The rest of the 10 slots are to be occupied by women: Col Dr Victor Nekesa, Lt Col Charity Bainababo and Maj Dr Jennifer Alanyo.
Public reacts to Gen. Tumwine’s fall
So, even soldiers were tired of Gen. Elly Tumwine— Journalist Sadab Kitatta
Gen. Elly Tumwine joins the list of dumped NRM ministers.
This will tame his arrogance will reduce abit.
Change is happening….. Former Makerere Guild President David Bala Bwiruka
Am so happy, another minister voted out of parliament!
General Elly Tumwine joins fellow ministers Sempijja, Nabakooba Ameria, Anite and others on former MPs list.
The singing General will not be part of the 11th parliament.? — Andrew Voltaire Masaba
