PROFILE: Here are Interesting Facts About the Late Gen Elly Tumwine

Former security minister Gen Elly Tumwine passed on August 25 morning after days of hospitalization. 

Here is a quick look at the life, times and interesting facts about one of Uganda’s most famous army generals.

• Date of Birth: April 12, 1954
• Place of Birth: Burunga, Mbarara District
• Age at death: 68
• Profession(s): Military officer, professional artist, teacher, politician

Education

• Primary education: Attended Burunga Primary School
• Secondary Education: Mbarara High School and St. Henry’s College Kitovu

Higher Education

• 1997: Joined Makerere University
• Graduated with Bachelor of Arts Degree in Fine Art
• Also had a Diploma in Education (majored in the History of Art Painting)

Military Qualifications

• Graduate of Tanzania Military Academy Monduli (Cadet Officers Course)
• Senior Command Course at the Uganda Senior Command and Staff College at Kimaka, in Jinja
• Also attended Vystry Military Academic, Soviet Union

Military Career & Security/Defence Positions

• 1978: Left teaching to join Museveni’s Fronasa rebels fighting Idi Amin
• 1981: Joined Museveni’s National Resistance Army (NRA) to fight Milton Obote following the controversial 1980 general elections
• Famous for firing the first shot in the NRA war during the attack on Kabamba.
• Sustained injuries on his face; lost one eye during the war
• Served as army commander until 1987. Replaced by Museveni’s younger brother Gen Caleb Akandwanaho aka Salim Saleh
• 1989: Minister of State for Defence
• 1994-1996: Director General of the External Security Organization (ESO)
• 1996-1998: Presidential Advisor
• 1986-1999: Chairman of the High Command Appeals Committee
• 1986-2021: UPDF representative in Parliament of Uganda
• 2005: Gen Tumwine was appointed Chairman of the General Court Martial
• 2018: Appointed security minister replacing Lt Gen Henry Tumukunde
• June 2021: Fired as security minister, replaced by Maj Gen (Rtd) Jim Muhwezi, appointed senior presidential advisor on security
• May 2022: Officially retired from UPDF

Fine Art Career

• Returned to his fine art career after the end of the NRA war
• Used his skill to lead the team that designed the flag, the emblem and the green and camouflage uniforms of the UPDF
• Served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the National Cultural Centre
• 1992: Launched Creations Limited to promote arts and crafts industry.

Date of death: Thursday, August 25, 2022

Gen Elly Tumwine was confirmed dead on the morning of Thursday, August 25, 2022. (Read Story Here).