[UAH] Museveni’s new team of commanders - National - monitor.co.ug

http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Museveni-s-new-team-of-commanders/-/688334/1861930/-/5qas38z/-/index.html

President Museveni has promoted a number of senior army officers and appointed Gen Katumba Wamala Chief of Defence Forces, replacing Gen Aronda Nyakairima who has been the longest-serving army commander in the history of Uganda People's Defence Forces.

Gen Nyakairima, is the new Internal Affairs Minister whose docket includes overseeing Uganda police force and prisons operations and welfare.

What remains unknown is whether Gen Nyakairima will hung his military uniform after 31 years of non-stop military career and put on civilian clothes since serving officers are not supposed to actively participate in partisan politics.

His transfer from the military to politics comes a day after UPDF High Command, the army's highest decision-making body met in State House, Entebbe, to discuss controversies over a letter written by the Coordinator of Intelligence Agencies, Gen David Sejusa, directing Internal Security Organisation to investigate reports that there was a plan to assassinate senior government and military officials perceived to be against Brig Muhoozi Kainerugaba replacing his father as president.

Gen Wamala worked as police boss from 2001 to 2005 when he was recalled and given command of Land Forces. He is the eighth UPDF boss.

Those close to him say he enjoys close relations with Gen Salim Saleh. "In 1981 he helped Saleh to escape and join the guerrilla war following a plan by UNLA soldiers to kill him because his brother Gen. Museveni had declared war on the Obote government. They have been friends since then," said a UPDF colonel who does not want to be named because he is not authorised to talk to the media.

Gen Katumba has been replaced by Brig David Muhoozi who has been promoted to Major General. Maj Gen Muhoozi has been the commander of air defence division in Nakasongola.

In other changes, the former Chief of Personnel and administration, Brig Leopold Kyanda, has been promoted to Major General and appointed the Joint Chief of Staff, the fifth most senior position in the Ministry of Defence. He has replaced Maj Gen Fred Mugisha who has been appointed the head of National Counter-Terrorism Centre to be set up soon.

Maj Gen Kyanda is the former boss of Presidential Guard Brigade, now Special Forces Command, under Brig Kainerugaba.

Brig Wilson Mbadi, the former Fourth Division commander is the new Chief of Staff land forces and has been promoted to Major General. Gen Mbadi also served as the Presidential aide de camp from 2009 until last year when he was promoted to Brigadier and deployed to Gulu as the Fourth Division commander.

Maj Gen Mbadi is replaced by Col Emmanuel Kanyesigye, who formerly worked with the Fifth Division as operations and training officer.

Most of these officers promoted and transferred have formerly worked as presidential guards before they were given roles of command in the UPDF.

The statement issued by the UPDF spokesperson, Lt Col Paddy Ankunda, congratulated the officers upon their "well-deserved promotions".

The statement also said the commander of Air force, Brig Samuel Turyagyenda has been promoted to Major General.

President Museveni has also appointed the National Resistance Movement deputy spokesperson, Mr Ofwono Opondo as the director of the Uganda Media Centre. He will be deputised by Col Shaban Bantariza who once served as army spokesman.

Former UPDF Commanders:

Gen Elly Tumwine 1986-1988

Gen. Salim Saleh 1988-1989

Maj. Gen. Mugisha Muntu 1989-1997

Gen. Jeje Odong 1997-2010

Maj. Gen. James Kazini-2010-2003

Gen. Aronda Nyakairima 2003-2013

Gen. Katumba Wamala 2013