NAIROBI — Former Security Minister Gen. Elly Tumwine was on Thursday night flown to Nairobi Hospital, Kenya in critical condition.
Quoting family and security sources, the New Vision on Saturday reported that Gen. Tumwine who publicly justified the 2020 November bloodshed in Kampala was battling cancer-related complications.
Defence Spokesperson Brig. Gen. Felix Kulayigye denied social media reports that he was dead.
“I have not been informed yet. I will communicate when told,” he said
His family had earlier clarified the same position, dismissing social media rumours.
“On behalf of the family of Gen. Tumwine, we hereby dispel rumours circulating on social media in regards to his health and well-being. Thank you for the love and prayers,” a statement shared by the family also copied to military spokesperson indicted.
Gen. Tumwine was recently admitted at Nakasero Hospital, deep throat security and family sources had earlier told UG Standard.
The bush-war hero whose travels beyond the region for specialized treatment was reportedly blocked by several countries over sanctions impossible on him by the United States of America, Germany and other European countries has been at Nakasero Hospital, until when a decision was made on Thursday evening to airlift him to Nairobi for treatment.
Gen Tumwine was until June 2021 the security minister who oversaw the election security.
The US last year announced visa restrictions on Ugandan government officials accused of human rights violations and repressive acts during the January 14 general elections and campaign period.
President Yoweri Museveni has been in power for 36 years.
After the January 14 general election, he was declared the winner with 58 percent of the votes.
This election was highly contested, and Ugandan opposition leader Bobi Wine filed a challenge in the country’s Supreme Court seeking the cancellation of presidential election results declaring incumbent President Museveni the winner.
He withdrew the challenge later in February. Wine also asked the International Criminal Court to investigate President Yoweri Museveni, Security Minister Elly Tumwine and eight other senior officials for sanctioning human rights abuses.
During the campaign and election, opposition candidates were gravely harassed, arrested and held illegally without charge.
Security forces, cammanded by the now frail Gen as Security Minister were responsible for killing and injuring dozens of bystanders, opposition supporters and journalists. Civil society organizations and activists were also reportedly targeted with harassment, deportation and other acts.
The International Community denounced the Ugandan government’s actions during the campaign and election.
He called upon the government to “significantly improve its record and hold accountable those responsible for flawed conduct, violence, and intimidation,” stating that the US would continue to evaluate additional actions against other individuals
