The family of the former Security Minister, Gen. Elly Tumwine, has regarded as untrue reports that he is dead.
Sources confirmed to this news website that Tumwine was on Thursday flown to a Nairobi Hospital in critical condition. He is reportedly battling cancer-related complications.
On Saturday evening, several reports made rounds on social media claiming that Tumwine had actually passed on from Nairobi.
But in a tweet on his official handle on Saturday, his family appealed to the public to disregard the rumour about the General’s health, but instead keep him in prayer.
“On behalf of the family of Gen. Tumwine, we hereby dispel rumours circulating on social media in regards to his health and well-being. Thank you for the love and prayers,” read the tweet.
Ankunda Barbara Kakama, a Member of General Tumwine’s family, in a separate tweet said: “Gen. Elly Tumwine is alive though not well. Kindly disregard the false news circulating on social media.”
On Saturday, Defence Spokesperson, Brig Gen Felix Kulayigye denied social media reports that he was dead.
“I have not been informed yet. I will communicate when told,” he said.
It has been common for high profile Ugandans to be declared dead on social media when they are alive. For instance, Kabaka of Buganda Ronalda Muwenda Mutebi, Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago and former Electoral Commission Chairperson Dr. Badru Kiggundu were last year declared dead.
In the same year in April, several social media platforms reported that President Yoweri Museveni had died while others have indicated that he had been admitted in a critical condition in a neighboring country after reportedly acquiring COVID-19.
However, speaking at the swearing-in of ministers at the Kololo independence grounds, Museveni said it is wrong to announce someone who is alive dead.
“Social media apparently has been saying that Museveni is dead. The other day when I went to that side of Bombo to lay a foundation people were looking at me (with shock) because they had been told by social media that Museveni is dead or something like that,” Museveni said.
“The security service needs to also solve that problem. I need to check with them so that we locate quickly those who tell such a story because you waste people’s time. We should go for you. We should locate where you are and go for you. If you’re in Europe, we denounce you and say go to hell,” he added.