Fired Intelligence Chief Maj Gen Otto Sent to Human Resource Department

KAMPALA, October 27, 2026 — Maj Gen Richard Otto has been removed as Chief of Defence Intelligence and Security (CDIS) of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) and seconded to the Joint Staff Human Resource Management department for redeployment.

Otto’s departure from the intelligence leadership position was announced on Tuesday by Col Chris Magezi, the Acting Director of Defence Public Information at the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs.

Chief of Defence Forces Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba appointed Brig Oscar Munanura, Otto’s former deputy, as the new intelligence chief and promoted him to the acting rank of major general.

The military did not give reasons for Otto’s reassignment or indicate his next posting. It also did not link the changes to any investigation or specific security incident.

The reshuffle marks the end of Otto’s tenure as head of the military’s intelligence and security directorate, a position he assumed in April 2025 after a series of leadership changes that also affected his predecessor, Maj Gen James Birungi.

How Otto replaced Birungi

Otto was appointed Chief of Defence Intelligence and Security on April 16, 2025, replacing Birungi in a reshuffle that saw the two senior officers exchange positions.

Before the appointment, Otto had commanded the UPDF Mountain Infantry Division based in Fort Portal and served as commander of Ugandan forces participating in Operation Shujaa, the joint military operation with the Democratic Republic of Congo against the Allied Democratic Forces in eastern Congo.

Birungi, who had headed the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence before it was restructured and renamed the Directorate of Defence Intelligence and Security, was transferred to take over the Mountain Infantry Division from Otto.

The change was formally announced by the military, with the two officers taking up their new assignments in April 2025.

However, Birungi’s stay in Fort Portal was short-lived.

Birungi transferred again to Burundi

In June 2025, barely two months after taking command of the Mountain Infantry Division, Birungi was replaced by Brig Paul Muwonge in another reshuffle ordered by Gen Muhoozi.

Birungi was subsequently redeployed to Bujumbura, Burundi, as Uganda’s military attaché and defence adviser. Brig Simon Ochan, who had been serving in that diplomatic military position, was recalled to the Joint UPDF Services headquarters in Kampala for reassignment.

The June transfer was Birungi’s second redeployment within a period of less than three months, following his April departure from military intelligence.

His subsequent arrest brought his military career under a different kind of scrutiny.

From redeployment to military court

Birungi was arrested in August 2025 and detained at the Military Police Barracks in Makindye, Kampala, following investigations into alleged misconduct within the military’s intelligence and counterterrorism operations.

The arrest followed a summons to the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs headquarters in Mbuya, where he appeared before Deputy Chief of Defence Forces Lt Gen Sam Okiding. He was subsequently taken into military custody.

In July 2026, Birungi was arraigned before the General Court Martial at Makindye and charged with treachery and offences relating to security. He was remanded to Makindye Military Barracks after appearing alongside other UPDF officers.

The charges followed an inquiry into alleged irregularities involving intelligence reports and counterterrorism operations. Allegations reported in connection with the investigations included the fabrication of intelligence information and the misuse of operational funds. These remain allegations to be determined through the judicial process.

Birungi’s case has drawn attention to the military intelligence command he previously led and the circumstances surrounding his transfer from the position in April 2025.

Otto’s next assignment

In announcing Tuesday’s changes, the UPDF said Otto had been seconded to the Joint Staff Human Resource Management department for redeployment, without specifying where he would serve next.

The military congratulated Munanura on his promotion and appointment while commending Otto for his work during his tenure as intelligence chief.

The announcement did not indicate whether Otto’s transfer was connected to Birungi’s case or to any other ongoing investigation.

For now, Munanura takes over the intelligence and security directorate after serving as Otto’s deputy, while the outgoing chief awaits his next assignment within the UPDF.

Meanwhile, Muhoozi has forgiven Maj Gen James Birungi and ordered his release despite allegations of cooking intelligence reports and engaging in plans to plant bombs, as detailed Here.