Gen Museveni Promotes 900 UPDF Officers

By Yunusu Abbey PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni has promoted 937 senior army officers, including the spokesman, Maj. Phinehas Katirima, who now becomes a Lieutenant Colonel. Military sources said Lt. Gen. Museveni promoted 15 officers from the rank of lieutenant colonel to full colonel. "The Commander-in-Chief promoted 66 majors to lieutenant colonel effective yesterday (Thursday)," said a source at Bombo army headquarters. Katirima said in the March 12 announcement, Museveni also promoted 121 captains to major, 481 lieutenants to ranks of captain and 254 second lieutenants to full lieutenants. The 15 officers promoted to full colonel are: Lt. Col. Elly Kayanja, the Commandant of Mubende Rehabilitation Centre, Lt. Col. Fred Bogere, the Chief of Logistics and Engineering, Lt. Col. James Sebaggala, commandant Mbarara Training School, Lt. Col. Francis Okello, a sector commander in Isiro, DR Congo and Lt. Col. Robert Rusoke, the Chief Political Commissar. Also elevated to full colonel are Lt. Col. Andrew Guti, the deputy chief of training and operations, Lt. Col. Livingstone Kateregga, director of loans and welfare, Lt. Col. Hudson Mukasa who has just returned from a one-year course in Kenya, and Lt. Col. Nasuru Izaruku. The other freshly-promoted colonels are Lt. Col Olanya Ojara who is still not deployed, Lt. Col. Mark Kodili, a deputy chief of personnel and administration and Lt. Col. Bernard Rwehururu, a defence attaché at the Uganda High Commission in Nairobi. Lt. Col. Clovis Kalyebara, a Gulu-based fourth Division deputy commander, Lt. Col. Geoffrey Muheesi and Lt. Col. Arthur Musinguzi, a former chief controller of finance are among the newly-promoted colonels. "The 66 majors promoted to Lt. Col. are Phinehas Katirima, Maj. Prossy Nalweyiso, Maj. Albert Kareeba, the UPDF's protocol officer, Maj. Jack Mishambi, a 4th division administration officer, Lt. Col. Steven Oluka, deputy chief of logistics and engineering, Lt. Col. Charles Otema and acting director of transport, Maj. Gyagenda Kibirango, attached to 4th division, Gulu. "The late Maj. Okello Kafifi, former director of music in the UPDF, was among those promoted to Lt. Col," said the source. Kafifi died in a motor accident on Ggaba Road near Nsambya on December 24, last year. Museveni's former Aide de Camp, Maj. Sam Kavuma, now a Brigade Commander in Soroti, has been promoted to lieutenant colonel. On the list, are six army doctors, all majors, who have been promoted to Lt. Col. They are Dr. Bukenya, Dr. Sam Lwanga, Dr. Kasongo, Dr. Ocheng, Dr. Musinguzi and Dr. Mugume. Maj. George Igumba, the commandant Jinja school of infantry, Maj. Tony Otoa, an army MP and commandant school of logistics have also been elevated to Lt. Col. Others promoted to Lt. Col are Maj. I. Rumuhairwe, Maj. M. Lukyamuzi, Maj. I. Mugisha, Maj. Ddiba Ssentongo, Maj. W. Mwesigwa, Maj. Gowa Kasiita, Maj. V. Ssessanga, Maj. Y. Kiiza, Maj. J. M. Ssebaana, Maj. I. Male, Maj. G. Mwesigwa, Maj. M. Kimbowa, Maj. S. Kiwanuka, Maj. M. Abiriga, Maj. N. Semwezi, Maj. G. Namumanyi, Maj. Mugyenyi, Maj. S. Okiding, Maj. I. Begumisiriza, Maj. I. Mwesigye, Maj. Dr. K.B.Ochen, Maj. I. Kalyesubula, Maj. Dr. Bukenya, Maj. Dr. Lutaaya, Maj. Mayeku, Maj. Kyamulesire, Maj. C. Otema, Mr. V. Mugyenyi, Maj. F. Etyang, Maj. S. Kakande, Maj. M. Nkutu, Maj. B. Obola, Maj. S. Kakamu, Maj. E. Mulindwa, Maj. D. Wakalo, Maj. Oketi, Maj. S. Turyagyenda, Maj. J. Okot, Maj. J. Muna, Maj. M. Jemera, Maj. Wameya, Maj. A. Ongom, Maj. F. Musinguzi, Maj. N. Abale, Maj. A. Olega, Maj. M. Byarugaba, Maj. I. Mugyenyi, Maj. Y. Kalule, Maj. G.K. Byakugaba and Maj. E. Sevume. Ends