Gen Tumukunde lists his biggest achievements in the army

PRESIDENTIAL POLLS|#UGDecides2021|TUMUKUNDE

Independent Presidential candidate Lt Gen (Rtd) Henry Tumukunde has shared his record of "numerous achievements" serving in various roles in the army, diplomatic service, intelligence services, Parliament, and Cabinet.

He notes in his foreword to his 2021 election manifesto that his achievements in the over 39 years he says he spent serving in these roles include as a machine gunner in the National Resistance Army's liberation struggle of the 1980s.

Tumukunde, who is campaigning under the platform of "Renewed Uganda", says he successfully thwarted various security and terror threats while heading the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI), Internal Security Organisation (ISO), and as security minister.

He, however, does not give full information about the threats. 

He also claims to have driven the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) rebel leader Joseph Kony out of Uganda while serving as the commanding officer of the UPDF Fourth Division.

‘Enough is enough'

The most senior retired UPDF officer to challenge President Yoweri Museveni in the general election also says that "the time is now to say enough is enough."

"To rise, equipped with the power of our constitutionally protected right to vote, to go to the ballot to cause a peaceful end to the mediocrity and retardation that is the scourge of our beloved country," he states.

He says they must come together as Ugandans to not only hold accountable those they previously entrusted to lead them, but also to seek out and identify new and better leadership that exhibits the values, character, and vision necessary to deliver a better tomorrow for themselves and crucially, for their daughters and sons that look to them to secure their future.

Tumukunde, who is currently battling charges of treason and unlawful possession of firearms, contends that this is the moment for Ugandans to choose to be different.

"This is your opportunity to return Uganda to its lost glory as a regional leader in peace, security, and economic development, to empower our young people to innovate globally relevant solutions to the most pressing challenges confronting the world today and to stimulate robust economic development that lifts Uganda's over 8 million households out of poverty and subsistence living," he says.

He also argues that this is an opportunity for Ugandans to innovate relevant and accessible opportunities for the 8 in 10 Ugandans aged 30 and below, among others.

"We must elect into power a Government that is committed to upholding constitutionalism and the rule of law, fairness and equity as guiding principles in governance, the duty of care supported by an intimate appreciation of stewardship, and that is impartial, effective and consistent in protecting the lives and property of every Ugandan- even those that it does not necessarily agree with it, among others," he says.

His commitment

He assured voters that "Renewed Uganda" is committed to being an accountable, innovative, and transformational Government, leveraging and celebrating the ideas, knowledge, and experience of the various religious, cultural, academic, and other backgrounds of their great citizens, young and old, as they emerge from Uganda's first truly democratic transition of power into recasting a new context for their people.

"Renewed Uganda stands for hope, inclusiveness, equity, regional balance, empowerment, functional institutions, constitutionalism and the rule of law, justice, fairness and many other ideas united in a common objective - equitable access to resources and opportunities and enhanced political inclusiveness for all Ugandans," he states.

Tumukunde, who is currently battling charges of treason and unlawful possession of firearms, therefore, welcomed Ugandans to delve into their vision for "A Renewed Uganda", and to share their thinking on where and how they may refine it to serve them better.

"I further urge you to come out and vote, and to delegate yourself to mobilize family, friends, and foe to join you in this most crucial democratic exercise because our future depends on it. The community at Renewed Uganda and myself are humbled to present these ideas to you and remain committed to working with you to manifest them," he says.

Listing his roles, he says he was the first secretary and military attaché at the Uganda High Commission in the United Kingdom and served various roles in the UPDF, including as director of planning, Member of Parliament for the Army, chief of personnel and administration, chief of CMI and Commander of UPDF's 4th Division.

He was also a director general of ISO. He represented Rubaabo County of Rukungiri district in the Constituent Assembly that drafted the 1995 Ugandan Constitution, and also served as security minister.

He retired from active military service in 2015 having attained the rank of Lieutenant General.