Last Month, president Yoweri Museveni, appointed new commanders in key Army positions. The latest changes show Gen Wilson Mbadi appointed Chief of Defence Forces while Lt Gen Peter Elwelu was appointed as deputy CDF. Besides, Gen Mbadi and Lt Gen Elwelu, UPDF Land Forces also received new boss as Lt Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba whereas Maj Gen Leopold Kyanda was appointed Joint Chief of Staff.
Political and security analysts such as Grace Matsiko and Siraje Nsanja, say the new appointments reflect a picture of country in transition from old guard soldiers to relatively young, versatile, more determined and educated commanders. This concedes with the fact that Gen Mbadi is 59 years old, Maj Gen Kyanda is aged 57 while Lt Gen Kainerugaba is 47 years old.
Grace Matsiko, a security analyst said people who fought in the war that brought Museveni government in power cannot match the fast changing security dynamics that incorporate technology, a lot of regular research and require training.
Matsiko believes Museveni who has been in power for 35 years is preparing the country for transition and that does not only involve political scenarios but as well the security systems of the country he would love to see after his departure.
“Of course you don’t expect someone who fought in the bush to be as active as of today. This is a natural process. The old getting older and young people taking over. This generation that has been appointed they are well educated, well trained and over the years they have been involved in number of military missions within the country and outside the country which makes very good commanders,” Matsiko says.
Gen Mbadi who was deputy to Gen David Muhoozi as deputy CDF, Lt Gen Elwelu and Lt Gen Kainerugaba have been involved in missions in countries such as the Somalia fighting Al-Shabaab terrorists. They have also participated in fight rebel groups such as Allied Democratic Forces –ADF and Lord’s Resistance Army –LRA.
Siraje Nsanja, a political analyst explains that the current security stricture across sections indicate that the government is internally undergoing transitional stage. This is why all old top army brass are being replaced with people who are relatively younger.
Nsanja adds that new Army appointments reflect the country’s population which is young and therefore very old people would be unfit to command security agencies that have very young people. He adds that on a large scale, Uganda’s security stricture is intended to shape the image of forces.
Who are the security commanders?
President Museveni
President Gen Yoweri Kaguta Tibuhaburwa Museveni is the CIC a title he has enjoyed since 1986 when he came to power. As CIC, Museveni appoints or approves appointments of security chiefs of among other security agencies Uganda People’s Defence Forces –UPDF, Uganda Police Force –UPF and Uganda Prisons Service- UPS.
CDF Gen Wilson Mbasu Mbadi
Gen Wilson Mbasu Mbadi as Chief of Defence Forces (CDF). Gen Mbadi had been serving as deputy to Gen Muhoozi since 2017 when the pair was appointed to replace Gen Edward Katumba Wamala and Lt Charles Angina respectively. The CDF is the professional leader of Uganda People’s Defence Forces. The title of CDF was introduced in 1989 and it was first held by Maj Gen Gregg Mugisha Muntu who served in that capacity for over eight years.
Deputy CDF
Lt Gen Peter Elwelu as his deputy. Lt Gen Elwelu shot to limelight in November 2016 when he commanded an attack on the palace of Rwenzururu king Wesley Mumbere. The November 26, incident left more than 120 people killed. At the time, Elwelu was a Brigadier and commander of UPDF 2ND division in Mbarara. He was later promoted to Major General and appointed Land Forces. Elwelu was again elevated to Lieutenant General and he is now a three-star Army chief.
UDPF Chief of Staff
Maj Leopold Kyanda was on Thursday appointed UPDF Chief of Staff. This puts him in third hierarchy of UPDF structure. Gen Kyanda had been serving as Chief of Staff for UPDF Land Forces. He has also been head of operations for the joint Covid19 taskforce.
UPDF Air Force
Lt Gen Charles Lwanga Lutaaya is the current commander of UPDF Air Force a position he has been in since January 2017. When UPDAF helicopters crashed in Mt Kenya in 2012, Lutaaya who was then a Lt Colonel was a member of the inquiry commission. The crashes left seven soldiers dead. At the end of the inquiry, Lutaaya was promoted to full Colonel and he was later appointed Chief of Staff UPDAF. In July 2015, he was appointed deputy commander UPDAF. Lutaaya was promoted to the rank of Brigadier in May 2016. The following year he was promoted to Major General and appointed UPDAF commander and in 2019 he was promoted to Lieutenant General.
UPDF Marine Force
This vital Brigade of the UPDF is commanded by Brig Michael Nyarwa. Brig Nyarwa was appointed to the position in 2018. The marine force is a distinguished division of UPDF whose roles range from security, safe travel and good use of Uganda’s waterways among others lakes and rivers. The UPDF marine also enforces fishing laws in addition to participating in international peace keeping missions as well as rescue missions.
UPDF CLF
The first son Lt Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba was appointed UPDF Commander for Land Forces. He takes over from Lt Elwelu who is now deputy CDF. Gen Kainerugaba had been commanding the Special Forces Command –SFC which guards’ president and government installations. Gen Kainerugaba previously served as Special Presidential Advisor on Security Operations. With CLF portfolio, Gen Muhoozi is in charge of UPDF Artillery Division, UPDF First Infantry Division, UPD 2nd Infantry Division, UPDF 3rd Infantry Division, UPDF 4th Infantry Division, UPDF 5th Infantry Division, UPDF Armored Brigade and UPDF Motorised Infantry.
Commander SFC
In the Thursday appointments, Brig Peter Candia was appointed Acting commander of Special Forces Command. Brig Candia he has been natured and grown in SFC over the years and he has been serving as second in command [deputy] to Lt Gen Kainerugaba. Brig Candia has previously served as commander Tank Battalion, commander Artillery and commander Platoon.
UPF Inspector General Police
The current Inspector General of Police –IGP John Martins Okoth Ochola who was appointed to the position by president Museveni on March 4, 2018 replacing Gen Kale Kayihura.
UPS Commissioner General
Dr Johnson Byabashaija is the current Commissioner of Prisons. He superintends over 200 prisons and 12000 prison staff. UPS has over 60000 prisoners boss on remand and conviction.