After openly criticizing the new changes in the UPDF top command which saw Gen Katumba Wamala dropped as Chief of Defence Forces and replaced by a much younger officer, Gen David Muhoozi, President Yoweri Museveni has directed the UPDF leaders to promote Brig. Kasirye Ggwanga and Brig. Elly Kayanja to the rank of Major General.
READ: Senior UPDF bosses to revolt against Museveni over Maj. Gen. Muhoozi
Gen. Museveni is said to have made the directive yesterday in Masindi during the 31th National Resistance Movement (NRM) party celebrations after decorating Sgt. Abdullah Sempagala Mwebe aka Sergeant Kifulugunyu famous for composing morale boosting songs within the army. He will also be promoted to the rank of Captain.
This month’s reshuffle which shook up the military hierarchy also saw other senior army officers deployed to new positions had Brig. Kasirye, Museveni’s advisor on security in Buganda region vowing not to salute or take orders Maj. Gen. Muhoozi who skipped the rank of Lt Gen and was promoted to General and other young turks in the new setup.
Previously, these command positions were mainly occupied by officers like Brig. Ggwanga and Brig. Kayanja who joined the military in 1970s and early 1980s many of whom fought in the 1981-86 guerrilla war that brought Mr Museveni to power.
Many commentators perceive this reshuffle as a move by the President to phase out the army old guard who have the Bush War hangover and a claim to his ascendency to power and think he is perpetually indebted to them.
The young officers who have taken over the top command have no claim to President Museveni’s ascendency to power and therefore he is not burdened with the perception of indebtedness to them.
Both Brigadiers Ggwanga and Kayanja are known commanders who contributed to the NRA bush struggle with Brig. Kayanja rising to prominence after he led the Operation Wembley which dealt a fatal blow to armed gangsters who had caused mayhem in Kampala and other parts of the country.
Who is Ggwanga?
- Brig. Ggwanga is currently a Presidential Adviser on security in Buganda.
- The retired Brigadier is a US-trained soldier.
- To many he is known as a controversial character, because his instinctive style of doing things. He has never been known for mincing when he feels aggrieved.
- He is among the few NRM soldiers who started his military carrier long before joining the NRA.
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Who is Kayanja ?
- Brig. Kayanja is a former Director General of the Internal Security Organisation, and also the former chief of the Operation Wembley operations (formed in mid 2000).
- But his take-no-prisoners approach left a lot of blood on the streets with suspected criminals gunned down in broad daylight.
- He was recently transferred from the job of assistant coordinator of intelligence to Bombo General Army Headquarters and now works at Operation Wealth Creation..
