Gen Tumwine speaks out on crime in Kampala, battle between Kayihura and Tumukunde

Gen.Elly Tumwine, one of the 42 fighters who launched the NRA bush war has spoken out about the ongoing spate of criminality especially in Kampala and the battle between generals, Kale Kayihura and Henry Tumukunde.

Over 25 women were last year murdered by unknown assailants who first raped them, inserted sticks in their private parts and then dumped their bodies in Entebbe and Nansana areas of Wakiso district.

In the same vein, a number of people have in past year have also been attacked, robbed and others killed by members of the notorious Kifeesi gang especially in areas surrounding Kampala.

Speaking to NBS TV at the NRM liberation day at Boma grounds in Arua, Tumwine admitted that criminality especially in Kampala is a big problem that needs to be combated by security agencies.

“It is true there is a lot of criminality in the city because it is always the centre of everything. Many people including criminals are likely to hide in the city and do a lot of things,” Tumwine told NBS on Friday morning.

Asked to comment on the concern by president Museveni recently that police is infiltrated by criminals, Tumwine said: “It’s true, security is not free of being infiltrated. If your mind can be infiltrated, even security can be. We shall continue to improve because we are on course and no one can divert us.”

Speaking at the home of the slain Assistant Inspector of Police Andrew Felix Kaweesi last year, Museveni said he was concerned that criminals had infiltrated the Uganda Police Force, and this, he said has compromised investigations into high profile killings.

“All these murders, I have followed myself. There are always clues leading to the criminals but the criminals have infiltrated the police,” Museveni said.

The bush war hero has also watered down talk of a growing rift and battle among the bush war heroes and also UPDF generals.

“We have learnt to live with this negative media trying to create what is not there,” Tumwine said when asked about the battle for supremacy between generals.

He however noted that as human beings, they can always differ, adding that such problems have always been solved by the NRM.

Tumwine said that as a party, they always have their own methods of work that allow criticism and people to speak out their minds.

“Where we make mistakes, we accept them and there is always room for improvement.”