There is heightened security at the country home of the late former Security Minister, Gen. Elly Tumwine, in Mukuru Village in the Kazo district ahead of his burial on Tuesday. A top security officer told our reporter on condition of anonymity that they had set up four security checkpoints from the main road to the deceased’s home.
At least two police officers backed by between three and five soldiers are present at each checkpoint. The officers are searching vehicles and people accessing the deceased’s farm. The Funeral Organizing Committee Chair, Denis Nahurira Rwamunyoga, says that at the last meeting to prepare for the funeral, they decided to increase security around the home of the deceased because they expected high-profile mourners.
Tumwine’s body is expected to arrive in the Kazo district at around 3:00 PM today via helicopter. According to Rwamunyoga, the chopper will land at the Rwemikoma Primary School playground.
Ham Tusiime, the LC1 chairperson of Mukuru village, says that the heavy deployment around Mukuru village might scare away some mourners. He says that during their preparatory meeting they had planned for about 6,000 people, but the number might be reduced due to the deployment.
Emmanuel Kaimustya, a resident, says the heavy deployment is scaring away the local people who are not used to soldiers who are using Kiswahili and English, which many local people don’t speak.
Gen Tumwine, 68, succumbed to lung cancer in Nairobi on Thursday last week.
