Africa-Press – Tanzania. GENERAL (rtd) Tumainiel Kiwelu (79) who led ‘Operation Chakaza’ that flushed Idi Amin’s troops from part of Kagera region breathed his last at his home in Morogoro on Tuesday.
According to a statement released by the Tanzania People’s Defence Forces (TPDF) Gen (rtd) Kiwelu was promoted to glory at his farmland in Morogoro.
The fallen Kiwelo is remembered as among men and women, who dedicated their lives to the defence of the nation from aggressors including the then dictator, Idi Amin of Uganda.
His name goes down in the history of Tanzania and Africa in general as one of the true sons of Africa who stood strongly to defend innocent people from any form of oppression.
General (rtd) Kiwelu, a graduate of Mons, famed for his role in the Kagera war during the Operation Chakaza (Kagera War) and held various positions as an officer in the Tanzania People’s Defence Forces.
The fallen general (rtd) served as Chief of Staff, Commander of the infantry, Brigade Commander, Chief Commander of Chakaza operation (Kagera war), which flushed out Amin’s troops from Tanzanian soil and later swept them away from Uganda.
“He also served in government in various positions including the Regional Commissioner of Tabora, Kagera and Shinyanga regions where he served until when he retired from public service,” reads part of the statement.
It added: “Gen. Kiwelu was awarded with different medals including 40 years of TPDF, Long service, 20 years of TPDF, Medal of War, Medal of Kagera and Mozambique Operation.”
Kiwelu enrolled to the army on July 1, 1963 and enjoyed a successful career spanning 34 years, nine months and seven days. He retired from the army on November 3, 1997.
The late Kiwelu is among TPDF officers who were highly respected and dearly loved in Kagera region. Some residents of Kagera, who happened to know him refer him as a man of action and ‘emanzi’ in Kihaya language which means the hero, courageous and daring fellow.
Mr Gervaz Rutatina, a resident of Bugorora in Misenyi District said the fallen hero will be remembered for his role in protecting the country and Tanzanians in general.
“I was among the militiamen who were mobilized to fight against Amin’s troops invasion in 1978, I remember Mzee Kiwelu very well, he was patriot, skilled and strong officer,” he said.
The final respects for deceased will be paid at Lugalo General Military Hospital today, he is expected to be buried at Mbezi Louis Cemeteries in Dar es Salaam.
