Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Thomas Tayebwa has described fallen bush war general, Elly Tumwine as a battle-hardened soldier who offered distinguished service to the country.
President Yoweri Museveni on Thursday morning officially announced the passing of Tumwine who has been undergoing treatment for lung cancer at the Agha Khan Hospital in Kenyan capital, Nairobi.
Tayebwa, while presiding over a plenary sitting on Thursday, said that Parliament joins the rest of the country in mourning the fallen soldier, a man who sacrificed a lot for the peace Ugandans are enjoying.
“We lost one of our gallant sons. A person who has left an indelible mark on the stability of this country, a person who has been a colleague with us, interacting with us every day. (We lost) a historical who started together with our President and other colleagues a revolution that would end up liberating our country.” Tayebwa said.
He described it as a “very sad moment” to the institution of Parliament because with the death of Gen Tumwine a dark cloud hovers around the legislature.
Tayebwa said that Parliament will keep in touch with the government and Uganda Peoples Defense Forces (UPDF) on matters concerning the burial arrangements.
“We are in touch with the government as a leadership of this House and at an appropriate time, we shall be guided. I ask the Leader of Government business to liaise with the Leader of the Opposition so that a motion is prepared to pay tribute to our departed colleague, “said Tayebwa.
Gen Elly Tumwine who is the longest serving Member of Parliament was also the Minister for Security at the time he retired from legislative work in May 2021.
Parliament, which is expected to pay tribute to Gen Tumwine at a later date, observed a moment of silence following the Deputy Speaker’s announcement of his demise.