At the time of urging, the late Tumwine was also dropped as a cabinet minister and army representative in parliament, the latter position he occupied since 1986.
When Gen. Tumwine advised President Museveni to retire 'for a long-term stability of the country'
The late Gen Elly Tumwine once urged President Yoweri Museveni to retire peacefully or prepare for the worst.
A seemingly reborn Tumwine urged Museveni to retire because if he didn’t, it would be a recipe for trouble.
In response to Tumwine’s outburst, rights activist Dr Kizza Besigye, who also broke ranks with Museveni years ago, said other Museveni loyalists will be ejected from their official perches for opposing Museveni, one by by one.
“That’s the same bus window in which Gen [Henry] Tumukunde also sat, before he was thrown under the bus,” Besigye said.
In an interview with CBS radio’s news segment, Nze nga Bwendaba, Tumwine brushed off Besigye’s remarks. He said that, unlike Besigye, he had not broken ranks with Museveni.
He added that he only wished Museveni handed over power to another person peacefully.
“It’s those who are interested in the negative but that’s okay. But those interested in the positive think that what I said was good. I wasn’t against anyone; I wasn’t attacking anybody because every Ugandan who wants peace would want to see a president handing over to another person peacefully. Who doesn’t want that?” Tumwine said.
THE FULL INTERVIEW
What did you mean when you said let the president retire peacefully?
Who doesn’t know it? Those who want to understand it, understand it, those who don’t want to understand, it’s up to them. Who doesn’t know that anybody who is working at one point must retire? Who doesn’t wish the president well? Who doesn’t want our president to retire peacefully?
When do you want him to retire?
When the right time has come; when God says this is the time to retire so that others take over from him. That time must come and it should be peaceful. That is my prayer.
It becomes your prayer after you have been sacked as minister?
No, I have not started now but the handover was the best occasion for me to put out that message.
So, who are you recommending to replace Museveni?
That is not for me but for Ugandans. It’s them to elect who will replace him. If there is anybody I want to recommend to him, that’s between me and him.
But it seems like many Ugandans didn’t take you seriously...
It’s those who are interested in the negative, but that’s okay. But those interested in the positive think what I said was good. I wasn’t against anyone; I wasn’t attacking anybody because every Ugandan who wants peace would want to see a president handing over to another person peacefully. Who doesn’t want that?
Are there people who appreciated your message?
There are very many...
Your former colleagues who have talked like you before have had it rough...
Their messaging wasn’t good; they used to say, he should step down, he should go; where should he go? Are you the one who brought him? But that’s not what I said.
But you might end up like them...
Why, I have a good record of supporting my government. I can die for this government; so, don’t compare the incomparable.
Some of your former colleagues have mocked you that you only spoke out after having been sacked as a minister...
That word you use, sacking, doesn’t apply to me; it’s part of your negative propaganda. No one sacked me; and I’m not going anywhere. I’m still here. The president knows my position; he knows my principles; he knows my methods of work. He understands me.
I have been and I’m still his friend. He is my teacher, he’s my mentor, he’s my leader, here’s my hero. He has been a good leader and he will continue to lead us, the only thing I pray for, is for him to retire peacefully.
What kind of leader do you want to replace him?
I want a leader like President Museveni; that’s hard anyway.
Some say you guys are thinking of Museveni’s son as his replacement...
I’m not saying that, but you will continue saying whatever you want to say; that will not stop Uganda from moving forward.
But if he brings him, would you support him?
Who is bringing him; it’s not the president to decide, it’s Ugandans. But don’t divert me from what we have been talking about to go into things that are irrelevant.
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