President Yoweri Museveni, the commander in chief of the armed forces, has promoted Maj. Gen Sam Okiding to the rank of Lieutenant General and appointed him commander of Uganda People’s Defence Forces -UPDF contingent in Somalia.
The appointment was announced on Thursday in a communication released by the spokesperson of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces, Col. Deo Akiiki.
Lt. Gen Okiding replaces Brig. Gen Keith Katungi whose one-year tenure as commander of the UPDF contingent has ended. Brig Gen Katungi was appointed to command the UPDF contingent in November last year replacing Brig. Gen Don Nabasa.
Lt. Gen Okiding has been commander of land forces deputizing the first son, Gen. Kainerugaba Muhoozi, who was dropped from the position last month and replaced with Lt. Gen Kayanja Muhanga.
Lt. Gen Okiding goes to Somalia at a time when Al-Shabab fighters are at their best form of using Improvised Explosive Devices -IEDs to kill foreign forces, foreign civilians, and government officials perceived to be loyal donations from countries they describe as non-religious.