Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the Chief of Defence Force (CDF), has promoted former Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) Spokesperson Col Paddy Ankunda to Brigadier General. At the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, Ankunda’s Spokesperson duties ended in 2017 when he was replaced with Brig Gen Richard Karemire.
He was later promoted to full Colonel and assigned Strategic Communication roles. In October last year, Ankunda was assigned duties of Defence Engagement and International Affairs in the office of the CDF.
By promotion to Brigadier, Ankunda has now joined the league of Generals. He is now a one star General which is the first category of the four UPDF’s highest ranks. The rest include Major General (two star), Lieutenant General (three star) and full General (four star).
The Defence and Public Information Office (DPIO) headed by Maj Gen Felix Kulayigye, has said CDF Gen Muhoozi has also promoted retiring Maj Gen Francis Okello to Lieutenant General.
Although Lt Gen Okello is retiring in the next few weeks, his promotion has been described as an appreciation for his distinguished military duties. Lt Gen Okello has served in various military peacekeeping mission including international diplomacy.
Among the peacekeeping mission Lt Gen Okello has served was being commander of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). Until last month, Lt Gen Okello served as founding commander National Defence College – Uganda (NDC-U).
At the recent handover ceremony to Brig Gen Alex Olupot as the new NDC-U commander, Maj Gen Francis Takirwa, the deputy Land Forces Commander, hailed him for his pivotal role in establishing and developing NDC-U.
“You (Lt Gen Okello) took on the responsibility of building NDC-U from nothing. Amidst challenges, you applied NRA principles to fulfil a historical mission and turned it into the state-of-the-art institution we see today. That is your legacy,” Maj Gen Takirwa said.
Lt Gen Okello will be remembered for laying a firm foundation for NDC-U, and described his handover as a signified key milestone in its evolution. “This is the first command transition at Uganda’s highest military learning institution. It reflects peaceful continuity, and just as Maj Gen Okello has passed on the baton, Brig Gen Olupot will one day do the same. No one holds a public office forever,” Maj Gen Takirwa said.
By virtue of his promotion to Lieutenant General, Okello will part with a package of the officers holding the second highest rank in UPDF. Previously, Generals at the second highest rank have been given over 600 million shillings retirement package including a new vehicle and a house valued 300 million shillings.
Also promoted by CDF Gen Muhoozi is Col Godfrey Karugaba, who is also now a Brigadier General. Karugaba has served at the Directorate of Military Intelligence (DMI) including being one of the commanders of UPDF’s counter-insurgency operations and regional stability efforts in Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan.