Major General Oscar Munanura has taken over office as Chief of Defence Intelligence and Security (CDIS) of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), replacing Major General Richard Otto, who was removed from the sensitive military intelligence position and transferred to the Joint Staff Human Resource Management for redeployment.
Munanura assumed office on Tuesday, November 10, during a handover ceremony presided over by the Commander Land Force, Lt Gen Kayanja Muhanga, who represented the Chief of Defence Forces, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba.
His appointment followed Gen Muhoozi’s October 27 decision to promote him from Brigadier to Acting Major General and appoint him head of the intelligence directorate, where he had been serving as Otto’s deputy.
Otto’s removal came at a sensitive time for the military, following developments surrounding retired Lt Gen Peter Elwelu, the former Deputy Chief of Defence Forces, whom Gen Muhoozi had declared wanted and accused of involvement in activities threatening national security.
Gen Muhoozi subsequently announced the arrest of more than 20 former soldiers associated with Elwelu, saying they were cooperating with security agencies. He also announced that Elwelu had been stripped of his military ranks and demoted to private.
The changes in military intelligence leadership came shortly after these developments and a meeting of the Joint Security Apparatus chaired by Gen Muhoozi to discuss the country’s security situation, including rising cases of murders, gun violence and livestock theft.
Although the timing of Otto’s removal has raised questions about whether the changes were connected to the investigations surrounding Elwelu, the military has not officially given a reason for his reassignment or confirmed that he was implicated in the investigations.
In announcing the leadership changes, the UPDF said Otto had been seconded to the Joint Staff Human Resource Management for redeployment, while Munanura was promoted and appointed his replacement.
At Tuesday’s handover ceremony, Lt Gen Muhanga praised Otto for his service, describing his contribution to the military intelligence establishment as commendable.
He also challenged officers in the directorate to prioritise timely and reliable intelligence, warning that delays and compromised information could put military operations and soldiers’ lives at risk.
“Delayed intelligence could compromise operations, while compromised intelligence posed a threat to soldiers on the battlefield,” Muhanga said.
He urged Munanura to uphold the expectations of the military leadership through discipline, loyalty, hard work and commitment to duty.
Munanura thanked President Yoweri Museveni, the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces, and Gen Muhoozi for entrusting him with the responsibility of leading the intelligence establishment.
He pledged to execute his responsibilities with diligence, honour and commitment, promising professional and visionary leadership.
The ceremony was attended by UPDF Chief of Joint Staff Lt Gen Jack Bakasumba and other members of the Joint Staff.
Munanura’s appointment places an officer who has been working within the intelligence establishment at the helm of one of the military’s most sensitive departments. The directorate is responsible for gathering and analysing military intelligence, identifying security threats, conducting counterintelligence operations and providing information to guide military operations.
Before his elevation, Munanura served as Deputy Chief of Defence Intelligence and Security. He previously held positions in the intelligence establishment, including Assistant Deputy Chief of Defence Intelligence and Security, with responsibilities in counterintelligence.
He also served as Director of the Joint Anti-Terrorism Taskforce (JATT) and Director of Intelligence in the UPDF Air Force. His military career includes service in operations in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Otto, who joined the army in 1986, had served as Chief of Defence Intelligence and Security since April 2025, when he replaced Major General James Birungi in an earlier military reshuffle.
Before taking over the intelligence directorate, Otto commanded the UPDF Mountain Infantry Division based in Fort Portal and served as commander of Ugandan troops under Operation Shujaa, the joint military operation with the Democratic Republic of Congo against the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels.
He also held several command responsibilities, including deployments in Somalia and the Central African Republic.
His reassignment ends approximately 18 months at the helm of the UPDF intelligence directorate, although the military has not announced his next posting.
