There is a deliberate scheme to malign my name- Gen.Tumwine

Security Minister Gen.Elly Tumwine has told the Parliamentary Committee on Rules and Discipline that there is a deliberate scheme by certain individuals aimed at maligning his name.

Several Members of Parliament accused Tumwine of disrespecting the institution of Parliament, in which he has served as Army MP for decades.

Responding to the allegations on Tuesday, the army general told the committee that he has never pulled out a gun onto Dokolo Woman MP Cecilia Ogwal as alleged by the legislator.

“In short, she has engaged in a sustained and systematic media campaign tarnishing my name even while this committee is handling the matter.  All her accusations against me and the UPDF are malicious and lies,” Gen.Tumwine told parliament.

“As I already observed, the allegations against me have no basis and no proof and they should be disregarded.”

The Security minister noted that there is no way he should have pulled a gun on Cecilia Ogwal because Parliament is secured, adding that the allegation was intended to turn fellow legislators against him.

Tumwine asked Ogwal to produce evidence to prove she is not a liar on the allegations.

Last week, it was alleged that the Security Minister had doctored the CCTV footage captured by the cameras at parliament into his favour before being reviewed by the Committee on Rules and Discipline handling the matter.

However, in response, Tumwine said it is only the speaker and sergeant at arms who control security at parliament.

“If she claims that the CCTV footage was doctored, then that is an attack on the office of the Speaker and that is the kind of attack that demeans parliament and the Speaker. It constitutes contempt of parliament contrary to Rule 221 of the Rules of parliament. The same contempt applies to the allegation that I always access parliament with a gun which is false,” Tumwine said.

“The allegation on threatening to poke a finger in her eye is also a lie and the CCTV evidence supports me. I called her a liar and told her I was disappointed with her disgraceful, sectarian, evil lies yet she claims to be a born-again Christian.”

On allegations that he ridiculed the speaker of parliament, Gen.Tumwine said all was a lie intended to tarnish his name but said he will be ready to defend himself on all the allegations.

Tumwine however never fell short of reciting his rhetoric bush war songs as he blurted out the lyrics of one of the rallying songs of the National Resistance Army.

He insisted that it is a fact that he and other NRA fighters fought for the peace enjoyed by Ugandans, noting that it is a fact none can hide away from him.

“It is a bad practice for individuals to use Parliament for their selfish motives and especially to tarnish and injure the reputation of their fellow members of Parliament who work so hard to maintain their clean record throughout the years of service in Parliament of Uganda,” he concluded.