Mayombo Promoted

PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni has promoted 82 army officers, including Lt. col. Noble Mayombo, who now becomes a full colonel, report Yunusu Abbey and Stanley Malisaba. Mayombo, the acting chief of military intelligence, was on November 8, 1999, promoted from major to lieutenant colonel.He was promoted to acting Chieftaincy of Millitary Intelligence (CMI)boss in November 2000. He still holds the post.In August 1996, while an army representative in Parliament, Mayombo was promoted from lieutenant to captain and was made an aide-de-Camp to the President. State House sources said Lt. Gen Museveni effected the promotions on Wednesday shortly before he flew to Egypt.Those elevated from lieutenant colonel to colonel include Eric Mukasa, the inspector general of military equipment, Stephen Othieno, the director of administration and Dr. Sam Lwanga.Notable among those promoted is Lt. Gen. Salim Saleh’s long-serving personal assistant, Lt. Juma Seiko, now a captain.The Makindye-based Military Police commanding officer, Maj. Dick Bugingo, has been promoted to lieutenant colonel together with Maj. Innocent Oula, the Commander of the Anti-Stock Theft Unit, and Lucky Kidega of the 4th Division Gulu. Capt. Annet Nkalubo, former UPDF Member of Parliament, now acting director of procurement, has been elevated to a major together with two other women.The newly-promoted officers wore their new pips yesterday at a colourful ceremony in Bombo presided over by Brig. Nakibus Lakara, the acting Chief of Staff.The function also witnessed a historic commissioning of two warrant officers to captains. They are Sam Ngobi, who has served as regimental sergeant major since 1983 and Warrant Officer Class One Tinkasimire, now a captain. CMI officers promoted from captain to major include Victor Twesige, Moses Ageta and Medi Baguma.Capt. Richard Karemire, the military attache at the Uganda embassy in Khartoum, Sudan, is also now a major.Military sources said 44 captains were promoted to major. The new majors include Sylvia Sempa, the Ag. Commandant Women’s Wing, and Rebecca Mpagi, director of supplies.Ten lieutenants were promoted to captains.Others are eight 2nd lieutenants who became full lieutenants. Also on the list were 11 officer cadets from the airforce commissioned to the rank of second lieutenant after completing their pilot training in Israel, Slovakia and Ukraine.Lakara told the officers it was a pleasure that the army recognised their service and hence rewarded them with various ranks.He challenged the officers to use their new ranks to exhibit even more loyalty, commitment and dedication to duty. This, he said, would enable their promotion fit the plan to modernise and professionalise the army.Ends