You are liars, Gen Tumwine tells MPs Ogwal, Katusabe

The Security Minister, Gen Elly Tumwine, yesterday presented his 12-page defence submission to the parliamentary Committee on Rules, Privileges and Discipline, where he described the two legislators accusing him of undermining Parliament as liars.

Gen Tumwine denied drawing a gun on Dokolo Woman MP Cecilia Ogwal during the Seventh Parliament that ran from 2001-2006, and also distanced himself from the allegations by Bukonzo West MP Atkins Katusabe that he made disparaging remarks against Speaker Rebecca Kadaga.

“The allegations against me have no basis, no proof and should be disregarded as lies because it is wrong practice for individuals to use Parliament for their selfish motives and, especially, to tarnish and injure the reputations of their fellow MPs,” he said.

The minister repeated his last week’s remarks that the UPDF sacrificed to fight the 1980-86 guerrilla war and bring “peace and democracy” and that whoever doesn’t like his remarks should “go hang”.

Some legislators last week criticised Gen Tumwine, who they said was using the reason for his participation in the 1986 war that brought President Museveni to power as a reason to threaten his colleagues at Parliament.

Mr Katusabe told Parliament on July 23 that Gen Tumwine questioned the powers of Ms Kadaga and Parliament to intervene in the current fight over the cattle market at the DR Congo border between Babughirana Butchermen Development Association and Alisamu Company Ltd.
During the same parliamentary debate, Ms Ogwal also stood up and said Gen Tumwine had pulled a gun on her for her position against the use of DDT to spray mosquitoes during the seventh Parliament.

“The allegation that I pulled a gun on her is a lie. It’s intended to enrage MPs against me, security forces and the security of Parliament,” Gen Tumwine said.

Gen Tumwine admits he had a meeting with Mr Katusabe on the request of State Minister for Health Sarah Opendi on July 22 after the two ministers drove together from the Cabinet meeting in State House and waited for Mr Katusabe in the office of security.

During the meeting, Mr Katusabe reportedly told Gen Tumwine that he was disappointed with the way the rift was being handled by government.
Gen Tumwine said the meeting between him, Mr Katusabe and minister Opendi was a private conversation and, therefore, there was no need to take “a private conversation to Parliament” for debate.
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