KAMPALA – Dokolo Woman MP, Cecilia Ogwal has accused the Security Minister, General Elly Tumwine of using his position in the army and security circles to doctor the CCTV footage that was submitted to the Committee of Rules, Discipline and Privileges.
During today’s hearing, Hon Ogwal told the committee that she has known Gen Tumwine since the 6th Parliament and the two were together in the Constituency Assembly as framers of the 1995 constitution and that she had no special interest in contributing to the debate raised by Bukonzo West MP, Atkins Katusabe but felt compelled to make a contribution with the aim of redirecting the attention of the General to the gravity of the matter.
According to Hon Ogwal, Gen Tumwine struck an arrogant tone when he started bragging about his long stay in Parliament, boasting of being one of the champions of discipline within the NRM.
During the debate last week, Hon Katusabe accused Gen Tumwine of ordering a shoot and kill directive to the army and when questioned about the directive, the Security Minister is said to have told him off to “go and report to the useless Parliament” if he deemed it right.
Hon Ogwal said that Gen Tumwine is a seasoned legislator and is one of the key leaders in this country and in position to understand the rules and that her contribution on the matter was actually to refocus the debate.
“His statements clearly demonstrate that it had some touch of arrogance, it was lacking humility despite the fact that various speakers did emphasise the importance of respecting the institution of Parliament. He wasn’t responsive to the mood on the floor. He has been here for long, so nobody should remind him of the rules.” She said,
It was after making the contribution that Gen Tumwine verbally attacked her accusing her of lying about the pistol incidence saying he never pulled a pistol at Ogwal.
“This thing having happened an attack on my life, a general in army, I am not surprised that even footage has been tampered with. I am very happy that using my case that all these CCTV for which we spent a lot of money wouldn’t be confronted serious thing that would require evidence. He could have ordered the doctoring of evidence this is a direct threat at me.” she said.
However, Abdu Katuntu (Bugweri County) asked Ogwal not to make statements without evidence saying there is need to protect the credibility of the investigations.
Asked by Wilfred Niwagaba (Ndorwa east) the particular words Tumwine used, to which Ogwal said that although she isn’t a psychologist art of reading people’s minds, it was very clear the way general walked towards her, there was obvious display of anger, fury and he came directly at personally.
Ogwal said that Tumwine’s attacks have left her health at risk having come at her shouting repeatedly and wished the footage had displayed the voice saying his attacks left her in state of confusion.
She noted, “He said it loudly, gripped with anger and fury. General didn’t come to greet me, General came to attack me. I was frightened, my pressure has consistently been going up, you can check with my doctor. If anything happens to me through direct shooting, poisoning I know Tumwine is involved.”
“I don’t understand why he would attack me twice. The way I feel threatened by one of the top military leaders in the country, I am not in danger alone but my family. I feel threatened, my health is affected and if anybody, I should have been the last person to attack in that manner,” added Ogwal.
Katuntu asked Ogwal if she has been in position to forgive Tumwine after he asked for an apology on the floor of Parliament to which Ogwal said that the incidence of the 23rd July means he can say another thing and mean another
“In my mind Tumwine wasn’t referring to that nasty incidence in the 7th Parliament. I don’t think I would forgive him, I don’t think I would tell committee that I have ignored what he did. And attacking me because of the statement I made that subject means Tumwine can follow that incidence until he sees me six feet down.”
Committee Chairperson, Ongalo Obote defended Ogwal arguing that forgiveness is something personal and that even if Hon Ogwal announced that the General is forgiven it wouldn’t sway the committee from the path it is taking.
“The question should be left to the member and General to decide for themselves. It is not something that the person should say when they haven’t had time to reflect upon. It is a personal decision,” said Obote.
