Kavuma promoted, sent from OWC to head ATMIS in Somalia

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | President Yoweri Museveni has promoted Major General Sam Kavuma to the rank of Lieutenant General (Lt Gen) and appointed him as the commander of the African Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), succeeding Lieutenant General Sam Okiding.

ATMIS, formerly known as the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISSOM), underwent a name change after several nations, including the US, China, France, Germany, and the UK, withdrew their funding. This decision was based on the belief that foreign forces had fulfilled their objectives in the conflict-ridden country.

Lieutenant General Okiding assumed command of ATMIS on November 3, 2022, succeeding Burundian Lieutenant General Diomede Ndegeya, whose tenure had expired. Despite initial plans for the withdrawal of AMISSOM forces from Somalia by the end of 2021, troops from Uganda, Burundi, Kenya, and Ethiopia remained due to concerns about the readiness of Somali security forces to counter threats, particularly from Al-Shabaab militants.

Last week, President Museveni appointed Lieutenant General Okiding as the Deputy Chief of Defence Forces (CDF). According to Colonel Akiiki, the Deputy UPDF Spokesperson, Lieutenant General Okiding’s appointment as Deputy CDF necessitated his return from Somalia.

“Having been appointed deputy CDF, Lt Gen Okiding will return home from Somalia and Maj Gen Sam Kavuma has been promoted to the rank of Lt Gen and appointed ATMIS force Commander to replace him,” Col Akiiki said. In his new role, Lieutenant General Okiding will serve as the Deputy to General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who now holds the position of CDF.

President Museveni’s decision to appoint General Muhoozi as CDF could stifle his political movement, the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU), launched two months ago to garner support for him ahead of the 2026 presidential elections.

As CDF, General Muhoozi is restricted from engaging in public political activities, a role he previously undertook as an advisor to his father on special security operations.  General Muhoozi now holds the highest military rank.

Members of General Muhoozi’s pressure group have called for his retirement from the military to focus on political endeavors.

Before his promotion, Lieutenant General Okiding served as the Deputy Commander of UPDF Land Forces, while Lieutenant General Kavuma, his successor as ATMIS Commander, held the position of Deputy Coordinator of Operation Wealth Creation.

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