The Commander in Chief of the armed forces President Museveni has directed his brother, Gen Salim Saleh to ensure that the shakeup he did in the Uganda Peoples Defence Force is done systematically as soon as possible.
Gen Saleh will be assisted by another of President Museveni’s trusted officers, General Elly Tumwine.
This was revealed by the UPDF spokesperson at a press conference at the Uganda Media Center.
This follows an army reshuffle announced in the wee hours of Tuesday morning in which Gen Katumba Wamala, the former Chief of Defense Forces was replaced by promoted Gen David Muhoozi.
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However, Col Ankunda stunned journalists when he argued that Gen Katumba Wamala was elevated to a higher status.
“How can it be a demotion, the ministry of works is strategic and very busy because this is where the standard gauge railway project and other projects are. Even in terms of protocol and hierarchy, the CDF salutes the minister, so it is not a demotion,” said Col Ankunda as some reporters bowed their heads in disbelief.
About Maj Gen Elwelu
Despite criticism by Ugandans especially those from the Rwenzori region, Col Ankunda defended the promotion of Peter Elwelu from Brigadier to Maj General.
Maj Gen Elwelu has been the 2nd Division Commander and has now taken over Gen Muhoozi’s docket of Commander Land Forces. This comes barely two months after the visibly fierce officer commanded the raid on Omusinga Charles Wesley Mumbere’s palace that left dozens of people killed.
Col Ankunda said Elwelu’s promotion was based on his experience in commanding at various levels.
“These are commanders with very wide leadership in command and leadership. Our new commander for land forces Maj Gen Peter Elwelu has been until recently the commander of 2nd division, he has commanded several other levels including commanding the first battle group to Somalia in 2007, so there should not be any questions whatsoever, these are very competent commanders and we should only wait to see what they do,” Ankunda held.
Reshuffle healthy
Col Ankunda told journalists that the army shakeup is a normal thing and good for institutional growth.
“As I speak to you, the Chief of Defense Forces of the UPDF is Gen David Muhoozi who was our Commander for Land Forces and has been promoted to the rank of General and assumes responsibility of the CDF,” Lt Col Ankunda said.
Ankunda added: “The Promotions take immediate effect, there are no questions, the handovers will be arranged accordingly and the president has instructed that Gen Salim Saleh and Gen Elly Tumwine will preside over these handovers and takeovers.”
President Museveni also dropped his son Maj Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba from Special Forces Commander (SFC) and named him Special Presidential Advisor in charge of operations.
SFC is in charge of the president’s security and other sensitive installations in the country.
Lt Col Don Nabaasa who was promoted to Colonel, is the acting SFC commander. Major Gen Mbadi who has been serving as Chief of Staff is now the Deputy Chief of Defence Forces. Maj Gen Mbadi was for a long time Mr Museveni’s bodyguard.
Lt Gen Charles Angina who was deputising Gen Katumba, has also been moved and named Deputy Commander Operation Wealth Creation.
In other transfers, Brig Okiding the outgoing UPDF contingent commander in Somalia has been promoted to Major General and named Commander Field Artillery.
Chief of Military Intelligence Brigadier Charles Bakahumura has been transferred and appointed Chief of Logistics and Engineering.
