INTERVIEW FROM THE PAST 🎙️

Following the death of Uganda's former security minister Gen. Elly Tumwine on Thursday (August 25), we are republishing this interview we previously had with the now late military officer.

Tumwine, who has died at the aged of 68, was the founder of Creative Cafã Gallery and Cultural Centre, was keen on the arts, and in this interview, he told writer Aretha Frison why his eye was a big sacrifice for him and his plans to make Uganda a global art centre:
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Did you always want to be an artist?

At first, I wanted to be a lawyer like my relatives. I am related to the late Grace Ibingira and the late John Kazoora. They had been an influence.

How did you become so interested in the fine arts?

I took it as part of my high school certificate, as an additional principle. But four years before I went to university, I met Francis Musango, an art teacher, who inspired all his students to take art seriously as a profession. I remember him saying, "With art, you don't have to look for a job".

You employ yourself. You can be independent. And that excited me. He made us like art and I liked it because it would make me independent.

Most artists are changed by art in some way, how did art change you?

During the introduction to art, it was actually an introduction to how life changes and how society changes, and why artists create the art that they make. It changed my life.

Now, how did you go from being an artist to joining freedom fighters against Idi Amin's regime?

When I was the head of the art department at Kitunga High School, that is when the war started, and one of the leaders, President Yoweri Museveni motivated me to join and I could not wait to.

If it was just to cook for him and the soldiers, I just wanted to help get rid of Idi Amin. I was torn between art and fighting in this world, but I felt it was important for me to sacrifice my art to serve my country.

Did you have any down time to create any art while fighting in the war?

I used to do a lot of sketches, and I scribbled things down. I had a big suitcase when I went to Nairobi for the peace talks with poems, drawings and writings, and I lost them all. They would have been good keeps. 

That was the biggest loss of my art history.

Have you created any new art lately?

This year, I haven't painted a piece of art. I was very busy creating this cultural centre. Instead of having a work sit on one canvas, this is my one big painting.

How would you describe your art?

I could say that it is a combination of impressionism, abstract and realism. It's all a part of me.

Do you want to make this cultural centre just for Uganda, or an African cultural centre?

I want to make this an African cultural centre and for Uganda to be the central site for the entire world to visit.

The president of World Bank visited the centre at the grand opening and we have discussed making Uganda a continental cultural centre for Africa. I have also discussed this plan with many African leaders to set up their country's arts, music, and their culture in Uganda.

Most of your art features are images of cows. Why do you like cows so much?

I have lived with cows all my life. I believe cows are a natural treasure. They are like art. Like the Longhorn, these cows are unique, all of them different from the other. They are like my children. 

Producing one painting is like having labour pains. You spend all day trying to get something, and then it comes out.

Who is your favourite artist?

Fabian Mpagi, a Ugandan artist. I have seen him develop into an artist from the day we were in school until his death two years ago.

I like people who are very forceful like Michaelangelo and Picasso. But, Picasso liberated the artists and made an impact in art.

Gen. Tuwmine said Pablo Picasso, whose work titled Marie-Thérèse is seen in this picture, liberated artists

Does the loss of your eye symbolise something for you?

My eye, to me, was something for me to give away for my country, and it was worth giving away. That is why I celebrate losing my eye every year. 

So, what is an eye? I'm grateful to have a second eye to see everything. 

Also related to this article

Former Ugandan security minister Gen Tumwine dies aged 68