Opposition leader Dr Kizza Besigye has told former security minister Gen Elly Tumwine it is too late for him to advise President Yoweri Kaguta Tibuhaburwa Museveni on peaceful power transition.
In his handover speech as security minister, Gen Tumwine said he would used his new role as special presidential advisor on security to advise Museveni, 76, to leave power peacefully and have an honorable retirement.
By the end of his current five-year term, Museveni will have led Uganda for four decades.
Tumwine, one of the key fighters in the NRA bush war that brought Museveni to power in 1986, has reignited debate on a peaceful transition and succession.
In her post-independence history, Uganda has never had a peaceful transition.
Yet when Tumwine has a clear and right message for his boss and comrade, Besigye thinks Tumwine is late.
Besigye, himself a participant in the bush war as Museveni’s personal physician, left the NRM government in 1999.
He consequently challenged Museveni in four consecutive presidential elections.
Besigye says Tumwine shouldn’t have waited for over 30 years to advise Museveni on peaceful power transition.
He now thinks Museveni could soon sack Tumwine as his security advisor.
“It’s 30 years late; even then, this may mark the end of your “new role.”
