The family of former Security Minister, Gen. Elly Tumwine, on Sunday afternoon held a private funeral service held in his honour at his home in Nakasero, a suburb of Kampala. 

Tumwine succumbed to lung cancer aged 68 on Friday morning at Aga Khan Hospital in Nairobi where he was hospitalised this month after his condition deteriorated at Nakasero Hospital in Kampala. 

His remains were transported from the UPDF headquarters in Bombo earlier on Sunday for the service that got underway at 4:30 pm led by Rev. Rebecca Nyegenye of All Saints Cathedral.

Speaking on behalf of the children Tumwine looked after, James Kamuntu, said that their homes in Nakasero and Kololo were always full because he was taking care of them.

"I have been loved that I ask what life would be without the General. Even without my biological father I was never an orphan," Kamuntu said.

“Gen. Tumwine has done everything that a father does. He was my confidant whenever I had some tough decisions to make. He has educated all of us," Kamuntu said.

Some of Gen Tumwine's children during the funeral service. Photo by Alfred Ochwo

Speaking on behalf of friends, Dr Warren Namara, the director of the State House Health Monitoring Unit, described those celebrating the former minister’s death as people who didn’t know him.

“His spirit will never go away,” Namara said.

He is expected to be laid to rest at his home in Kazo, Mbarara next week. 

Who was Tumwine?

Born on April 12, 1954, in Burunga, Mbarara district, Tumwine attended Burunga Primary School, Mbarara High School and St. Henry's College Kitovu.

He then joined Makerere University, where in 1977, he graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Fine Art together with the Diploma in Education.

In 1978, he fled Uganda and joined the Front for National Salvation (FRONASA) led by current Museveni to fight late President Idi Amin.

In 1981, Tumwine joined the National Resistance Army (NRA) and is credited with having fired the first shot that launched the guerrilla war.

In 1984, Tumwine was named the NRA army commander and lost one of his eyes during the bush war. Three years later, Gen. Salim Saleh succeeded him.

Tumwine also served as Minister of State for Defence in 1989, Director General of the External Security Organisation (ESO) from 1994 until 1996, Presidential Adviser from 1996 until 1998.

He was also the chairman of the High Command Appeals Committee from 1986 until 1999.

He was one of the longest serving UPDF Members of Parliament, having represented the army from 1986 until 2021, when he was defeated at the polls.

A motorcade transporting Gen. Elly Tumwine's remains heads to his home in Nakasero from Bombo. Photo by Alfred Ochwo

In September 2005, he was promoted to the rank of general in the UPDF and named to chair of the UPDF General Court Martial.

On May 16, 2022, Tumwiine was among 34 generals who were retired from the UPDF.