Gen Elly Tumwine: Foreign agents funding Bobi Wine protests; we have evidence

Security Minister Gen Elly Tumwine has claimed government has evidence to the effect that foreign elements are finding protests and other activities aimed at destabilizing Uganda.

Speaking for the first time since November 18 protests in which 28 people were killed, according to latest police figures released on November 20, Gen Tumwine told reporters in Kampala that the state was aware of selfish politicians working to turn Uganda into a nation akin to post-Muammar Gadaffi Libya.

“We have evidence that most of these people are agents of foreign forces who want to destabilize African counties for their own interests,” Minister Tumwine said on November 20.

He wondered why Bobi wine was desperately working to destroy the country whose top leadership position he is seeking.

“For someone who is contesting to lead Uganda, are you admiring what has happened in Libya and other countries? What a shame,” Tumwine said.

Tumwine urged Ugandans to work with security agencies to preserve peace and stability.

“How come refugees are coming to Uganda from all the other countries and not vice versa? We have been receiving refugees from that hard won peace that we must preserve,” he noted.

He also told Ugandans security agencies would change tactics, depending on the situation.

The idea, the general explained, will be to target perpetrators, and quell riots within the shortest period of time possible.

“We have moved from the teargas to the batons. In two hours, the town was clean because it was direct to the culprits,” he said of security agencies’ handling of November 18 and 19 protests.

The former bush war general warned those riding on the idea of confidence in numbers to attack security officers, telling them they would pay with their lives.

“We are aware some people have been training and misleading young people on how to attack Police. Get out of that because whoever is training you on this is putting your life at great risk,” Tumwine cautioned.

“I heard someone say they are stronger and have more numbers than the Police. The peace-loving Ugandans are the majority. Those who want to disrupt are very few and therefore can’t sustain it.”

The Museveni minister further reminded Bobi Wine his presidential candidate status doesn’t grant him immunity from arrests.

“The best way to avoid being arrested is to avoid criminality. If you are a boxer and you go in the ring and they beat you hard, do you complain?” the he wondered.