Brig. Kayanja Muhanga an older brother to journalist, Andrew Mwenda, has been transferred back to Somalia as full commander of the Uganda Contingent to AMISOM.
The Fort Portal-born soldier was in 2013 in Somalia where commanded Uganda’s “Battle Group Eight” and concurrently served as the deputy commander for the Ugandan contingent in Somalia.
Brig. Muhanga, the 4th Division Commander from May 27, 2014 until today replaces Brig. Sam Okiding following Uganda Peoples Defence Force (UPDF) sending 2745 new troops in the latest deployment to the volatile Somalia ahead of the presidential elections.
Somalis were supposed to elect a new president on November 30 but the electoral body postponed the polls to an unspecified date this year pending conclusion of election of members of parliament who will in turn elect the president.
Brig. Muhanga’s redeployment is still seen an appreciation for successful battles fought by the Ugandan contingent in South Sudan, where the Ugandan military is said to have killed hundreds of rebel fighters loyal to former Vice President Riek Machar in 2014.
He also commanded Uganda Battle Group Eight that captured Al Shabaab’s stronghold of Bakara market, Mogadishu Stadium, Daynille, Mogadishu University and Afgooye.
The army spokesperson, Lt. Col. Paddy Ankunda could not be reached by press time to divulged more details about the Brig. Muhanga’s leaving for his new posting.
The decorated armyman is also a brother to Burahya County MP Margaret Muhanga who infamously bought 23 acres of public land at Shs10 billion.
Brig. Muhanga’s official military career says:
Joined the NRA at the rank of Private, serving in that position until NRA captured power in 1986. Served in the military police unit based in Kasese.
Served in the Presidential Protection Unit (PPU), at the rank of Private from 1986 until 1988.
Following the Junior Cadet Officer Course, he served in the office of the Chief of Combat Operations (CCO), at the rank of Second Lieutenant.
Transferred to the Directorate of Military Intelligence in 1990, serving there until 1993.
From 1993 until 1997, he served as the Intelligence Officer, attached to the UPDF barracks in Mubende.
He was assigned to the Joint Anti-Terrorism Taskforce (JATT), at the rank of Captain.
He was promoted through Major, Lieutenant Colonel and Colonel and was posted to Mogadishu, Somalia, as part of the UPDF contingent to AMISOM. While there, he commanded Uganda’s “Battle Group Eight” and concurrently served as the deputy commander for the Ugandan contingent in Somalia.
After his tour of duty he served as the Chief of the Military Police in the UPDF, until January 2014.
In January 2014, Colonel Kayanja Muhanga was appointed Commander of the UPDF Operations in South Sudan.
In February 2014, he was promoted to the rank of Brigadier.
Author: stephenmuneza@gmail.com, +256772544870 or Twitter @stephenkmuneza
