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I’ve never pulled a gun on MP Cecilia Ogwal, says Gen Tumwine
Minister of Security Gen Elly Tumwine gestures while addressing journalists at Lake View Resort Hotel in Mbarara District on July 25, 2019. PHOTO BY ALFRED TUMUSHABE
What you need to know:
- Gen. Tumwine, who is UPDF representative in Parliament, was on July 22 sent to Parliamentary Committee on Rules, Privileges and Discipline for investigation.
The Minister of Security Gen Elly Tumwine has refuted reports that he drew a gun at Dokolo Woman MP Cecilia Ogwal during the Seventh Parliament and that he poked a finger in her eye on Tuesday.
Describing the MP’s allegations as lies, the minister told journalists at Lake View Resort in Mbarara that he was shocked because Ms Ogwal has been his friend for a long time and that they fellowship together as born-again believers.
He said he had begun to respond to the allegations of disrespectful remarks against the Speaker and Parliament that had been brought against him in the House on Tuesday when Ms Ogwal interjected and said he previously attacked her with a pistol.
“I came in the middle of the debate and I found when the House was already excited. As I was beginning to explain, Hon Cecilia Ogwal raised on point of order and alleged that sometime back in the Seventh Parliament, I put a pistol on her,” Gen. Tumwine said.
He added that after Ms Ogwal had spoken the Speaker did not allow him to give accurate information on what was being debated.
“She ruled that the House votes on the motion (to send me to the disciplinary committee). I have no problem with going to the committee. And as I was going out, then I met Cecilia Ogwal in the lobby and I went straight to her and told her that ‘you have disappointed me,’ ‘you are a liar’ and I am repeating it here, she is an adamant liar,” Gen. Tumwine told journalists.
He further claimed Ms Ogwal has since been telling lies through media that he poked a finger in her eye in the lobby after the plenary session.
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“Whoever alleges must prove; that’s what the law says. Let’s wait and see her proof,” Gen. Tumwine said.
He further said he’s a disciplined person in addition to being a promoter of discipline.
“I had started telling people in Parliament that I am one of the architects of NRA code of conduct. National Resistance Movement (NRA) code of conduct is one of the toughest laws in our books which we carried and still have in the armed forces Act,” Gen. Tumwine said.
He added, “And I understand how and when to use a gun. I have never pulled a pistol on anybody, history and time can prove that.”
Gen. Tumwine further said that the country is where it is in security matters because of the disciplined leadership which he has been part of.
“I have been in charge, we preach, enforce and ensure disciple,” he said.
He also said it is wrong for Ms Ogwal to go around disparaging UPDF and government using the privilege of Parliament and media.
According to him, Parliament did not handle properly the matter of his alleged disrespectful remarks against the Speaker and the House.
“Parliament did not handle this matter properly; those are allegations and there is no foundation. It is hot air. I will go to the disciplinary committee but what has been done is mob justice,” Gen. Tumwine said.
Gen. Tumwine, who is UPDF representative in Parliament, was on July 22 sent to Parliamentary Committee on Rules, Privileges and Discipline for investigation.
This was after Bukonzo West MP Godfrey Atkins Katusabe told Parliament that Gen Tumwine stated: “What is Parliament and who is the Speaker? She only rules over Parliament but not Uganda,” Mr Katusabe quoted Gen Tumwine as saying.
Gen Tuwmine allegedly said this during a one-on-one meeting on Monday after the MP told the minister that he would take the issue of fight over the management of cattle market in Mpondwe-Lhubiriha Town Council in Kasese District to the House.
Mr Katusabe stated that such utterances by a Minister and a General of the UPDF is “critical because it is a direct attack on Chapter Six, Article 79 of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda.”
