KAMPALA- The Commander of the Land Force of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF), Lt Gen Kayanja Muhanga, has called on Senior military officers to uphold the core values of leadership, trust, and responsibility in fulfilling their duties.
Lt Gen Kayanja Muhanga, delivered the message during a ceremony marking the handover of the office of Chief of Defence Intelligence and Security to Maj Gen Richard Otto, who succeeds Maj Gen James Birungi which was held today April 22nd 2025 at the Defence Intelligence and Security Headquarters in Mbuya in Kampala.
While speaking at the function, Lt Gen Muhanga highlighted five essential pillars and emphasised the doctrine of mission command, which include leadership, trust, decision-making, welfare of subordinates and decentralisation and urged officers to internalise these principles to enhance command effectiveness.
“Leadership is not merely a position. It is a responsibility that demands sound decision-making, emotional intelligence, and moral courage,” He said and added, “You can have intelligence, you can have supplies, but without leadership, it all falls apart.”
While making an acceptance speech, Maj Gen Otto described his appointment as a profound honour and a reflection of the trust earned through years of service in high-stakes roles.
“This is not the first time I’ve been entrusted with sensitive positions. Each one of them has been a test of trust and leadership,” Maj Gen Otto said, citing his leadership of UPDF missions in the Central African Republic and later in Somalia in 2020.
He pledged to build on the foundation laid by his predecessor, address emerging and ongoing security threats, and safeguard national stability, particularly in the lead-up to the next general elections.
Before this appointment, Maj Gen Otto served as Commander of the Mountain Division and Operation Shujaa.
Outgoing Chief of Defence Intelligence and Security, Maj Gen James Birungi, expressed appreciation to President Yoweri Museveni and Chief of Defence Forces Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba for the opportunity to serve, and welcomed his next assignment as Commander of the Mountain Infantry Division and extended his congratulations to Maj Gen Otto and assured him of continued support during the transition.
“As you settle in, my lines of communication remain open should you require any support,” Maj Gen Birungi said.
The ceremony was attended by senior officers from the Land Force, Air Force, Special Forces Command, and Defence Intelligence.
In another development, 384 Police officers attend one-month skills enhancement and ideological orientation course.
The Inspector General of Police, Abas Byakagaba has officially opened a one-month skills enhancement and ideological orientation course for Criminal Investigations Directorate, Forensic Services and K9 Unit Police Officers.
The course is being attended by a total of 384 Police officers at the Police Field Force Unit Training Base in Kikandwa in Wakiso District.
The course aims to equip Police officers with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively contribute to national development programs such as the Parish Development Model, subcounty policing model and Emyooga among others.
While addressing the participants, the Inspector General of Police Byakakagaba emphasised the importance of utilising acquired skills and improving police service delivery.
The event was attended by a cross section of Senior Police Officers who included the Director of Criminal Investigations Department Tom Magambo, the Director of Human Resource Development, Moses Kafeero and the Director of Forensic Services, Assistant Commissioner of Police Andrew Mubiru.
