Katumba Wamala new CDF

By Joshua Kato

Gen. Katumba Wamala is the new Chief of Defence Forces (CDF). Katumba was promoted in an army reshuffle by Gen. Yoweri Museveni on Thursday.

He replaces Gen. Aronda Nyakairima who now moves to cabinet as Minister of Internal Affairs.

Katumba has been a soldier for most of his adult life, having joined the army in the early 1980s. Although he did not join the NRA during the 1980s bush war, he played a background role.

“I was not there in person, but I was one of them,” he said in an interview.

Since 1986, he has served in different capacities including commander of the UPDF forces in DR Congo and Southern Sudan, Inspector General of Police, Chief of Land forces and now CDF. The General is lauded by his colleagues as the ultimate professional soldier.

In the reshuffle, Maj. Gen. Charles Angina, who has been the Chief of Land Forces, becomes the Deputy Chief of Defence Forces, replacing Lt. Gen. Ivan Koreta, who is moving to the diplomatic service.

Brig. David Muhoozi, who has been commander of air-forces, has been promoted to Maj. Gen. and replaces Katumba Wamala as Commander of Land Forces.

President Museveni’s former ADC, Brig. Wilson Mbadi, has also been promoted to Major General and named Joint Chief of Staff. Mbadi was appointed commander of the 4th Division last year.

According to the statement, a new post of National Counter Terrorism Centre has been created and will be headed by Maj. Gen. Fred Mugisha, formerly the Joint Chief of Staff.

“We congratulate the officers upon their well deserved promotions and appointments and wish them success in their new assignments,” Lt. Col. Paddy Ankunda, the UPDf spokesman, said in a statement.

Other changes

PRESS RELEASE

His Excellency the President of the Republic of Uganda and Commander in Chief of  the UPDF has made the following promotions and changes within UPDF.

1.    Gen Aronda Nyakairima formerly the Chief of Defence Forces has been appointed Minister of Internal Affairs.

2.    Lt Gen Edward Katumba Wamala formerly Commander of Land Forces has been promoted to General and appointed the Chief of Defence Forces.

3.    Lt Gen Ivan Koreta formerly Deputy Chief of Defence Forces has been appointed Ambassador of Station to be announced later.

4.    Maj Gen Charles Angina formerly Chief of Staff of Land Forces has been promoted to Lt Gen and appointed Deputy Chief of Defence Forces.

5.    Maj Gen Fred Mugisha formerly the Joint Chief of Staff is appointed Head of the National Counter Terrorism Centre to be set up.

6.    Brig Wilson Mbadi formerly the 4Division Commander is promoted to Maj Gen and appointed Joint Chief of Staff.

7.    Brig David Muhoozi formerly Commander Air Defence Division is promoted to Maj Gen and appointed Commander Land Forces.

8.    Brig Samuel Turyagyenda, Commander Airforce is promoted to Maj Gen.

9.    Brig Leopold Kyanda formerly Chief of Personnel and Administration is appointed Chief of Staff Land Forces.

10.    Col Emmanuel Kanyesigye formerly 5Division Operations Officer transferred to 4Division as Division Commander.

We congratulate the Officers upon their well deserved promotions and appointments and wish them success in their new assignments.

PADDY ANKUNDA psc
Lt Col
DEF/UPDF SPOKESMAN

Commander Land Forces – Maj. Gen David Muhoozi
Joint Chief of Staff           -- Maj. Gen.  Wilson Mbadi
Commander Air Force     --- Maj. Gen Turyagyenda
Brig. Leopold Kyanda is the new chief of staff Land Forces
Col. Kanyesigye replaces Mbandi as the new 4th division commander.
 
Gen Fred Mugisa who commanded Uganda peace keepers in Somalia is the chief of National counter-terrorism agency.