The Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has appointed Brigadier Paul Muwonge as the new commander of the UPDF Mountain Infantry Division, based in Fort Portal, western Uganda.
Brigadier Muwonge has been promoted from his previous role as Deputy Commander of the same division. He replaces Major General James Birungi, who had assumed command in April this year.
According to Colonel Chris Magezi, the Military Assistant to the CDF, Major General Birungi has been appointed Uganda’s Military Attaché and Defence Advisor (DA) in Bujumbura, Burundi.
“Brigadier Simon Ochan, who has been serving as Uganda’s DA in Bujumbura, has completed his tour of duty and will return to the Joint UPDF Services Headquarters for reassignment,” Col. Magezi stated.
Before his appointment to the Mountain Infantry Division in April, Major General Birungi served as the UPDF Chief of Defence Intelligence and Security (CDIS). He had swapped roles with Major General Richard Otto, who previously commanded the Mountain Division.
Col. Magezi further noted that Brigadier Muwonge, who recently accompanied Gen. Muhoozi on an official working visit to Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), will also take command of Operation Shujaa. This joint military operation with the Armed Forces of the DRC (FARDC) aims to neutralize the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a terrorist group active in parts of eastern DRC.
