Politics
Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba Appointed As New Chief Of Defense Forces , Top Muhoozi Project Mobilizers Named Ministers
President Museveni has appointed his Son and Senior Presidential Advisor in charge of Special Operations, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba as the new Chief of Defence Forces. He takes over from Gen Wilson Mbadi who has been transferred to serve as State Minister of Trade, Industry and cooperatives in charge of trade.
Museveni also appointed Lt Gen Sam Okiding as the Deputy CDF, replacing Gen Peter Elwelu who has been appointed a presidential advisor.According to a Thursday night radio message which Kampala Eye has seen, Museveni also promoted UPDF Chief of Staff Land Force Maj Gen Jack Agonza Bakasumba to Joint Chief of Staff.
Bakasumba takes over from Major General Leopold Kyanda who will serve as a defence attache in a yet-to-be-known country. Museveni also promoted Special Forces commander, Brigadier David Mugisha to the rank of Major General.
The Special Forces Commando Force commander, Col Asaph Nyakikuru was also promoted from the rank of Colonel to Brigadier.
Meanwhile, Chief of Defence Forces Gen Wilson Mbadi, National Youth MP Phiona Nyamutooro, Balam Barugahara, and Kitgum Woman MP Lillian Aber are some of the new faces in the new Cabinet list announced by President Museveni on Thursday evening.
According to the changes, Balam is the new State Minister for Youth and Children Affairs, Gen Mbadi has been appointed State Minister for Trade and Industry, Aber is the new State Minister for Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Refugees while Namutooro is the new State Minister for Minerals.
The appointment of Balam, Aber and Nyamutooro is seen as an endorsement of the MK project, with the trio ardent supporters of the First Son and Presidential Adviser on Special Operations, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba.
Kenneth Omona has also been made a minister, moving him from his role as Private Secretary to the President. Asio Omaswa is the new Principal Private Secretary to the President. Irene Birungyi, the deputy Presidential Private Secretary, has been transferred to the Ministry of Public Service,.
The other key change is Jacob Oboth Oboth who has been promoted from State Minister for Defence to full minister under the same docket. He replaces Vincent Ssempiija who has been named a presidential adviser. Obiga Kania has been moved from Foreign Affairs as State Minister to Lands as State Minister for Urban Development.
The other ministers have retained their positions.Ssempiija, Grace Freedom Kwiyucwiny, Lydia Wanyoto and Harriet Ntabazi have been appointed presidential advisers, with the President saying their roles will be assigned to them later.