The Chief of Defence Forces, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has appointed Maj Gen Richard Otto as the new Chief of Defence Intelligence and Security (CDIS) of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF).
The changes, which take immediate effect, were announced on Wednesday evening.
Maj Gen Otto, who has been serving as the Commander of the Mountain Infantry Division based in Fort Portal, replaces Maj Gen James Birungi, who will now assume command of the Mountain Division.
According to a statement by Col Chris Magezi, the Acting Director of Defence Public Information, the Mountain Division Commander also serves as the Joint Task Force Commander of UPDF troops under Operation Shujaa, which is currently conducting offensive operations against Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
“The UPDF fraternity congratulates the General Officers on their new appointments and wishes them good luck in their future endeavors,” Col Magezi said.
Maj Gen Otto brings to the intelligence docket deep operational experience, having previously led UPDF’s 3rd Division in Moroto and served as Uganda’s Defence Attaché in Kinshasa.
Maj Gen James Birungi, now heading to Fort Portal to take charge of the Mountain Division, has held several key posts in the UPDF, including Chief of Military Intelligence and Commander of the elite Special Forces Command.
His redeployment to lead one of UPDF’s most active combat units signals the strategic importance the military continues to place on the operation in the DRC.