New ESO boss Ocwet takes office

By Mary Karugaba

After heading the External Security Organization (ESO) for eight years, Robert Masolo Monday handed over the mantle to the newly appointed Director General, Joseph Ocwet.

The ceremony held at the office of the President was presided over by the Minister of Security Mary Karooro Okurut and witnessed by the head of public service John Mitala, secretary, office of the President, Deborah Katuramu, Director General Internal Security Organization Brig. Ronnie Barya and all directors from ESO.

Although the press was invited to the ceremony, they were turned away on grounds that the meeting was scheduled to discuss important security matters.

A statement by the Executive Director Media center Ofwono Opondo said both Masolo and Ocwet pledged to continue working together and strengthen the security of the country in their respective new duty stations.

Although Masolo became the director general in 2007, he joined the organization in 1989 and went through the ranks to the top.

Masolo has been seconded to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs where he will be deployed in the Foreign Service.

Before his appointment, Ocwet had left Foreign Service where he served as Uganda’s Ambassador to the African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia but had not yet retired from Uganda government service.

In 2004, Ocwet was involved in the efforts to mediate between the Government and the Lord’s Resistance Army rebels during the Juba peace talks.

Ocwet is one of the directors of the London based charity, Africa Relief Trust, which is involved in humanitarian activities in northern Uganda.

In one of the interviews with New Vision, Ocwet revealed that he was among the people who negotiated the return of Gen.  David Sejusa.

In an interview with New Vision though, Sejusa denied ever meeting Ocwet.