KAMPALA, UGANDA: Government is yet to release an official burial program of the late former security minister Gen Elly Tumwine, two days after his death.
Gen. Tumwine was Thursday this week pronounced dead after losing battle to lung cancer in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi where he had been hospitalised for about two weeks.
His body yesterday arrived in the country aboard a chartered flight and was received by top government officials, senior army officers, and relatives at Entebbe International Airport.
Soon after being jetted off the plane, Tumwine’s body was taken to the Bombo Military Barracks for a night function, from where it will be flown back to the general’s residence in Kampala today for a vigil.
When asked about the burial arrangements of the late four-star general, highly placed sources in the military said the prospect of Gen Tumwine receiving a state funeral seems “increasingly likely.” While the former army commander only qualifies for an official send-off as per the Constitution of Uganda, a decree by President Museveni could see Gen Tumwine receive a State funeral.
The Constitution guarantees a State funeral for only the President, Vice President, Speaker of Parliament, Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Chief Justice, Deputy Chief Justice and the Prime Minister.
While eulogising Gen Tumwine on Thursday, President Museveni described the fallen general as “a dedicated and hard-working cadre.” The President also listed the various roles that Gen Tumwine held, including being “part of the leadership of the [National Resistance Army] NRA – [Uganda People’s Defence Forces] UPDF, as well as serving the government in various capacities.”
He added that “those capacities included being Army Commander, member of the High Command, Director-General of Intelligence, Minister of Security, etc.”
What the law says
The Constitution guarantees a State funeral for only the President, Vice President, Speaker of Parliament, Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Chief Justice, Deputy Chief Justice and the Prime Minister.
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