Gen. Elly Tumwine, the former security minister, was allegedly battling for his life Wednesday night at the Aga Khan Hospital in Nairobi, Kenya, where he was flown on Tuesday.
The four-star general, a former member of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) High Command, was reportedly wheeled through the airport to board the flight and appeared weak, according to sources acquainted with the evacuation.
His daughter Cynthia Tumwine denied reports that her father had passed away on Saturday on Twitter.
In another tweet at 7:29pm yesterday, Ms Cynthia, without commenting on the condition of her father, wrote that “adversity will teach you so much about human nature”.
“That said, I wouldn’t wish the last 24 hours on anyone. Travel time needs to undo social media because it’s currently in the pits. God is faithful, regardless. We give him praise,” she noted cryptically.
The health of Gen Tumwine, who hails from Mbarara District, has been a subject of public speculation for a while, including when he was still a Cabinet minister.
He brokedown during the wedding of a well_known female journalist several weeks ago, according to relatives and friends, which led to his admission to Kampala’s Nakasero Hospital.
His condition deteriorated, necessitating a move to Nairobi on Tuesday in order to receive more specialized medical care.
Although the condition hasn’t been made public, the general has previously sought treatment at Mulago Hospital’s Uganda Cancer Institute.
On Gen. Tumwine’s official Twitter account, an unidentified person had earlier stated, “On behalf of the family of Gen. Tumwine, we hereby debunk rumors spreading on social media in respect to his health andwell-being. I appreciate the prayers and love.
The UPDF spokesperson, Brig Felix Kualigye, yesterday said he could not discuss the life and health of a general, saying it would contravene policy.
“Do you expect that a UPDF general can die and we keep quiet?” he asked to dispel the death rumours.
The four-star general last year was forced to declare himself alive after unknown people on social media circulated messages announcing him dead.
Gen Tumwine is number two of six original members of the then NRA High Command as of January 26, 1986, according to the UPDF Act, 2005.
The others are President Museveni, his brother Gen Salim Saleh Akandwanaho, Gen David Tinyefuza (now David Sejusa), late Eriya Kategaya and Brig Matayo Kyaligonza.
