In Summary: The promotion gives Police Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) chief Tom Magambo a higher military rank while he continues serving in the police leadership structure. Magambo, who was appointed CID director in January 2022, previously served in the Internal Security Organisation (ISO), where he held several senior intelligence positions.
Kampala, Uganda — Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba has promoted Police Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) chief Tom Rwabudongo Magambo from Major to the rank of acting Lieutenant Colonel in the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF).
The promotion was announced in a statement issued on Thursday, November 12, 2026, by Col Chris Magezi, the Acting Director of Defence Public Information at the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs.
Gen Kainerugaba, who also serves as Senior Presidential Advisor for Special Operations, sanctioned the elevation of Magambo, who currently heads the Police CID.
“The UPDF fraternity congratulates Lieutenant Colonel Magambo for the well-deserved promotion and wish him continued success in his duties,” Col Magezi said in the statement.
Magambo’s promotion marks another advancement in his military career while he continues to serve in the police force, where he oversees investigations into major criminal cases across the country.
Magambo was appointed CID director in January 2022 by President Yoweri Museveni, replacing Grace Akullo, who had held the position for several years.
His appointment was unusual because he was drawn from the intelligence services rather than rising through the traditional ranks of the Uganda Police Force. At the time of his deployment to the police, he was reportedly promoted from Private to Major in the UPDF.
In February 2025, President Museveni renewed Magambo’s contract as CID director for another two years, extending his leadership of the directorate.
Profile Background
Born in 1978, Magambo hails from Masindi District in western Uganda. Before joining the police leadership, he built his career in the Internal Security Organisation (ISO), where he served in several senior roles, including Chief Intelligence Officer, Director of Analysis, Head of Regional Affairs and Head of Counterintelligence and Policy Analysis.
He also served as coordinator of the Eastern African Fusion and Liaison Unit (EA-FLU), an intelligence coordination centre based in Entebbe and established to support regional efforts against terrorism and transnational organised crime.
Magambo holds a bachelor’s degree in Development Studies and a master’s degree from Makerere University. He also holds a Master of Business Administration from the Eastern and Southern African Management Institute (ESAMI), as well as a postgraduate diploma from Uppsala University in Sweden.
He has also pursued doctoral studies in mediation and conflict resolution, according to his listed profile information.
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