MPs on the Rules, Discipline and Privileges Committee Thursday clashed with General Elly Tumwine, the Minister of Security after he reminded them of how they made a lot of sacrifice during the five-year guerrilla war in the Luweero Triangle.
Tumwine made the remarks while appearing before the Committee that is investigating allegations that the Security Minister threatened to harm Dokolo Woman MP, Cecilia Ogwal last week.
The allegations described are in contempt of Parliament because he (Tumwine) tried to attack fellow MP for remarks made on the floor last week.
“It isn’t simple to allege, make outrageous statement about a honourable member. You know how much we have sacrificed. I am entitled by procedures of fair justice. All that was said against me require that I get that information in order for me to respond. I am not compromising, when you give the rights you shouldn’t infringe on rights of any person,” Tumwine said.
However, his reminder to MPs not to forget the sacrifices the 1986 class made to the country didn’t go down well with MPs, who also told him off that the country is well versed with the matter and it shouldn’t be turned into a second national anthem.
Bugweri County lawmaker, Abdu Katuntu said: “Does Tumwine have right to be heard fairly? That is basic; however, I am uncomfortable, when you start repeating we sacrificed. You are collaborating allegations against you. Let us focus.”
In response, an uncompromising Tumwine said: “Am I accused of saying we sacrificed? Am I accused of saying that sacrifice has brought this atmosphere? …I have one eye, what was it for? Anybody who talks about our sacrifice as allegation should withdraw it. I know it isn’t something you don’t want to hear, but it is a fact.”
Bukooli County’s Abbot Ouma said, “When we bring democracy, we fight and sacrifice it is something known and it shouldn’t be a song. Going and bringing democracy shouldn’t give lee way to use it as a tool to infringe on others.”
Geoffrey Macho (Busia Municipality) said that whereas the Tumwine group sacrificed for the peace Ugandans are ‘enjoying’, “I request that when he is before he is committee everybody knows the sacrifice when he is giving submission, let us use a language that can make the committee to make decision in an equal way, moreover we need them. This government belongs to all of us.”
After outburst, the Committee agreed to give Tumwine more time to make a response to different allegations made against him by both Ogwal and Atkins Katusabe with the Committee scheduled to reconvene tomorrow to listen to his submissions.
