MBARARA – Embattled security minister Gen Elly Tumwine who is facing a paramilitary probe over alleged spiteful remarks against Parliament and the Speaker Rebecca Kadaga will Thursday July 25 meet journalists in Mbarara to give his side of the story.
In an invite sent to various media houses, Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) spokesperson Brig Richard Karemire noted the Gen Tumwine in a company of UPDF woman MP will interact with members of the media at Mbarara Lake View Hotel at 9.30am.
Mr. Karemiire didn’t disclose the agenda of the interaction.
Gen Elly Tumwine was Monday July 22 sent to the Parliamentary Committee on Rules, Privileges and Discipline for investigation over alleged reckless remarks against Parliament and the Speaker Rebecca Kadaga.
Parliament made the resolution after about an hour of a heated debate during which MPs from both the ruling NRM party and the Opposition accused Gen Tumwine of uttering statements that undermine Parliament.
Gen Tumwine is one of 10 army representatives in parliament.
Trouble started when Bukonzo West MP Godfrey Atkins Katusabe alleged on the floor of the House that Gen Tumwine during a one-on-one meeting on Monday, made disparaging statements about Parliament when the legislator informed the Security minister that he would raise a matter about ongoing fights over the cattle market in Mpondwe-Lhubiriha Town Council in Kasese District.
“What is Parliament and who is the Speaker? She only rules over Parliament but not Uganda,” Mr Katusabe quoted Gen Tumwine as saying.
Mr Katusabe stated that such utterances by a Minister and a General of the UPDF is “critical because it is a direct attack on Chapter Six, Article 79 of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda,”