By Andrew Irumba
Kampala: Parliamentary Committee on Rules, Discipline and Privileges has on August 1 2019 grilled Security Minister Gen. Elly Tumwine over alleged assault of Dokolo Woman MP, Cecilia Ogwal and disparaging the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Rebecca Kadaga.
In response, Gen Tumwine accused the committee for not having given him ample time and an opportunity to defend himself.
The Minister also told legislators that anybody who talks about their sacrifice as an accusation should withdraw it.
“Am I accused of saying that we have sacrificed for this democracy? Am I accused of saying that our sacrifice has brought this atmosphere? Anybody who talks about NRA generals’ sacrifices as an accusation should withdraw it.”
On Katusabe accusations, Tumwine said it’s not simple to allege, make outrageous statements about an honorable member nor the people of Uganda.
“The facts as I have said about each allegations are where it started. If you trace the whole process of how it started, there is a lot. All has been stated both in parliament and in the public. Compiling what has been going on…, I would want you to establish all the facts which caused this. I need time, I want to get all facts that were put on the floor so that I have the facts before I could respond on Katusabe utterances. Before you do anything you must know where it came from, where it is and where you want to take it.” Gen Tumwine said.
The General said when he looks at the allegations which he is supposed to respond to, first there is a question of utterances of demeaning parliament. “How can I demean my parliament? There is no body who loves this parliament more than me.”
The Bugweri county legislator Hon.
Abdu Katuntu said, what General Tumwine could be entitled to is the evidence
Atkins Katushabe gave in the committee.
“I request that the chairman allows his secretariat to give that evidence to
him.”
George Abbot Ouma, the Bukooli islands legislator advised the minister to stop bragging of how they went to the bush to liberate the country.
“When we bring democracy we fight and we sacrifice it is something known to everybody and it should not be a song whenever we go, bringing democracy does not give us leeway in any way to use it as a tool to infringe on others,” pointed out.
Committee chair Kenneth Obote said they will review the CCTV footage because this committee has two weeks to report to parliament.
“The question of the allegations has come up more than once, this is your opportunity to clarify what happened.”
Obote said the allegations as laid out by Atkins Katushabe are very clear and straight forward.
“I don’t believe we have more time to go over these. General Elly Tumwine just needs to tell us what happened in his office.”
He added: “It’s not up to this committee to handle hypothetical questions. If there is any such evidence, whoever alleges that it’s there should bring it forward. The question at the moment is that whatever is alleged is answered.”
