Museveni appoints Bagyenda as new ISO chief

PIC: The newly appointed ISO boss rtd Col Frank Kaka Bagyenda

The reshuffle within the echelons of security forces continued, with President Yoweri Museveni replacing Brig. Ronnie Barya with retired Col. Frank Kaka Bagyenda as the head of the Internal Security Organisation (ISO).

According to army spokesperson, Brig. Richard Karemire, Museveni, who is the Commander-in-Chief of the army, has appointed Barya as ambassador to a country yet to be named.

"It is true that Col. Kaka Bagyenda has been appointed ISO chief. We thank Brig. Barya for the good job he has done. The President has appointed Barya as ambassador but we are not yet sure what country," he said during his first press conference, which was conducted shortly after Lt. Col. Paddy Ankunda handed over office to him at the Ministry of Defence headquarters in Mbuya.

Karemire said the appointment of Bagyenda as the coordinator of internal security in the country will enhance intelligence services in the country giving the pedigree of the new ISO chief in security circles.

"Bagyenda has experience in security. He used to conduct intelligence in the bush (1981-1986 Luwero bush war). So his new portfolio is not necessarily new to him," he said.

Brig. Barya was appointed as ISO chief in 2010, replacing Amos Mukumbi.

According to Karemire, the new ISO chief is not only grounded in intelligence but he brings to the security sector a great deal of experience.

At the handover, Ankunda, who is yet to be deployed, thanked Museveni for giving him an opportunity to serve UPDF, an army he described as "one of the most versatile forces on the continent."

"I have left this office better than I found it," he said.

Speaking about his new role, Karemire called upon the media to collectively champion the mission and vision of Uganda, especially by not scaring investors, who he described as the bedrock of economic development of the country.

"What you write, publish and broadcast affects the country. So, don't write things that scare citizens and investors," he said.

Urging the media not to fear him, Karemire said he will always be available to clarify and put straight the record of the UPDF's role within the country and the region.

"Don't fear me. Although I am a brigadier, I am a human being, who is readily approachable," he said.