President Museveni reshuffles top military posts in Uganda, promoting Son to Senior Advisor

By

Gloria Nakiyimba

Uganda’s Opposition has described the latest changes within the army as a move by Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni to fortify his grip on power.

President Museveni on Tuesday promoted his son Major General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, to a Senior Presidential Advisor for Special Operations bringing him closer to work with him in State house.

Democratic Party President Nobert Mao says President Museveni’s promotion is to prepare the first son Kainerugaba to take over leadership of Uganda in the future.

Maj. General Muhoozi Kainerugaba has been the Commander Special Forces Command, a military unit that is in charge of the president’s security. He has been commander of SFC since 2008 following his graduation from Fort Leavenworth.

In other changes made, General Edward Katumba Wamala, who has been the Chief of Defense Forces, has been appointed to the position of State Minister for Works.

It is not yet clear whether or not General Katumba will accept his new appointment, seen by the opposition as a demotion.

General Wamala has been the Chief of Defense Forces since 2013. He once served as Uganda People’s Defense Force, UPDF, Chief of Land Forces from 2005 to 2013.

He also had a stint in the Uganda Police Force where he was revered as the Inspector General of Police. He served in this position between 2001 and 2005.

Katumba Wamala has been replaced by Maj Gen David Muhoozi, who has been the Commander Land Forces, and now promoted to the rank of General.

Lt Col Don Nabaasa, was promoted to the rank of Colonel and appointed the Acting Commander Special Forces Command replacing the first son Kainerugaba.

Brigadier Peter Elwelu, the man who led the joint military raid on the Rwenzururu King’s Palace in November 2016 leaving scores of civilians dead has been promoted to the rank of Major General. He has also been appointed the Commander of Land Forces.

Army spokesperson Lt Col. Paddy Ankunda says Brigadier Charles Lwanga Lutaaya, who was promoted to the rank of Major General is the new Commander of Air Forces. He replaces Maj Gen Sam Turyagyenda, who was elevated to the position of Senior Presidential Advisor on Air Forces matters.

Brig Charles Otema, now promoted to the rank of a Major general is the new Officer commanding the Reserves while Lt Col Abel Kandoho, was promoted to the rank of Colonel and appointed the Chief of Military Intelligence replacing Brig Charles Bakahumura.

Ankunda says the Commander-in-Chief in the radio message for the transfers, appointments and promotions, thanked the above commanders for their contributions up to now and urged them to continue with their good services to the UPDF and the country.

The new changes take immediate effect.

Gloria Nakiyimba

Gloria has experience spanning more than five years in Journalism, particularly in field reporting, editing, newscasting and management. She is currently working with Capital Radio Limited [91.3 Capital FM and 96.3 Beat FM] as Head of News, a position she has held since 2010.

Gloria previously worked as the Kampala Correspondent for Radio France International [RFI] generating local story leads with international inference for RFI’s global audience. She also served as Political Editor for The Weekly Mail Newspaper as well as Online Content Editor for the California based Ugandan broadcaster KubutakaRadio.com.