Fort Portal, Uganda — The Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has made significant changes in the leadership of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), appointing Major General Richard Otto as the new Chief of Defence Intelligence and Security (CDIS).
Maj Gen Otto, who has been serving as the Commander of the Mountain Infantry Division, will now head the UPDF’s intelligence and security arm. He replaces Major General James Birungi, who has been reassigned to take over as the Commander of the Mountain Infantry Division based in Fort Portal.
The Mountain Infantry Division also leads the Joint Task Force under Operation Shujaa, the ongoing UPDF mission combating armed groups in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Maj Gen Birungi will now oversee this critical regional operation as part of his new role.
According to a statement issued by Colonel Chris Magezi, the Acting Director of Defence Public Information, the appointments take immediate effect.
“The UPDF fraternity congratulates the General officers on their new appointments and wishes them good luck in their future endeavors,” Col Magezi stated.
The changes are seen as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen military leadership and operations within and beyond Uganda's borders.
