Chief Whip Obua hails patriotic, revolutionary Gen Tumwine

The Government Chief Whip, Denis Hamson Obua has said the departed Gen Elly Tumwine will always  be remembered as a patriot, revolutionary and historical member of the National Resistance Movement, but also as promulgator of the 1995 Constitution.

Tumwine, one of the heroes of the 1986 Luweero bush war that brought the current NRM government to power, Gen Elly Tumwine  died at the age of 68 on Thursday from Aga Khan Hospital in Nairobi, Kenya, where he was airlifted recently as he battled cancer -related complications.

Speaking to journalists at Parliament on Thursday, said the deceased exhibited a rare level of sacrifice when he decided to leave his teaching job to join the Luwero bush war.

“Gen  Elly Tumwine will be remembered as one of the historical members of the National Resistance Army/ Movement who fought and came to power in 1986,” said Obua.

According to the Government Chief Whip, Tumwine's contribution  during the establishment of the 1995 Constitution is another significant legacy the late will be remembered for.

“The general will also be remembered as one of those who participated in the promulgation of the 1995 Constitution. The country has remained in one piece because of their contribution.”

“We draw a number of lessons from the life Gen Tumwine lived including making a personal decision to join the army to defend his people and the beloved country at all costs. The strong desire to defend his country saw him  become the army commander, a position he dedicatedly served.”

Obua emphasized that the years Tumwine served in Parliament as an army representative registered enormous contributions.

“I served with Gen Tumwine in the 8th, 9th and 10th Parliament. I knew him at a personal level and can testify to the enormous contributions he made in legislating for peace, order and development of Uganda,” he said.