Standfirst: CDF General Muhoozi Kainerugaba has promoted Brigadier Oscar Munanura to Acting Major General and appointed him Chief of Defence Intelligence and Security. Munanura, who previously served as deputy chief of intelligence, takes over from Major General Richard Otto, who has been seconded to the Joint Staff Human Resource Management department for redeployment.
Kampala, Uganda — Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) General Muhoozi Kainerugaba has promoted Brigadier Oscar Munanura to the rank of Acting Major General and appointed him the new Chief of Defence Intelligence and Security (CDIS) of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), in the latest change at the top of the military’s intelligence establishment.
Munanura, who previously served as deputy chief of defence intelligence and security, takes over from Major General Richard Otto, who has been seconded to the Joint Staff Human Resource Management department for redeployment.
The appointment was announced in a press statement issued on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, by Colonel Chris Magezi, Acting Director of Defence Public Information at the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs and the UPDF.
“The Chief of Defence Forces and Senior Presidential Advisor for Special Operations, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba has promoted Brig Oscar Munanura to the rank of Acting Major General and appointed him the new Chief of Defence Intelligence and Security (CDIS) of the UPDF,” the statement reads.
Munanura’s elevation marks a further rise within the military intelligence hierarchy, having previously held a deputy-level position in the same department before now taking charge of the institution.
In March 2026, DailyExpress reported that Muhoozi had replaced Colonel Abdul Rugumayo with Munanura as Deputy Chief of Military Intelligence in a reshuffle whose reasons were not immediately disclosed.
Rugumayo had served as deputy chief of defence intelligence and security since March 2022, when he was appointed by President Yoweri Museveni to replace Brigadier General Charles Asiimwe.
At the time of his appointment as deputy, Munanura was serving as Assistant Deputy Chief of Defence Intelligence and Security in charge of Counter-Intelligence, placing him within a key operational branch of the military’s intelligence structure.
His career has also included a stint as Deputy General Manager of Kyoga Dynamics, a subsidiary of the National Enterprise Corporation (NEC), where he was involved in defence-industrial operations and strategic logistics planning.
Munanura was promoted from Colonel to Brigadier General in February 2025, before taking on the deputy intelligence leadership role the following year.
The latest appointment now places him at the helm of the UPDF’s defence intelligence and security function, although the military statement did not outline his immediate priorities or explain the circumstances surrounding Otto’s reassignment.
Otto moves as intelligence leadership changes
Otto’s departure from the CDIS position comes after he was appointed to the role in 2024, replacing Major General James Birungi.
Birungi was subsequently redeployed to command the Mountain Infantry Division before later being arrested by the army, according to DailyExpress’s previous reporting.
The latest announcement does not indicate whether Otto’s reassignment is linked to any disciplinary matter or investigation. The UPDF instead commended him for his service during his tenure as intelligence chief.
“The UPDF fraternity congratulates Ag Maj General Oscar Munanura for the promotion and appointment, and commends Maj General Richard Otto for the great work he has done during his tenure,” Magezi said.
The army also wished both officers success in their new duties.
The leadership transition places Munanura in charge of a sensitive military function responsible for defence intelligence and security, following his progression through counter-intelligence and deputy leadership roles within the UPDF.
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