President Yoweri Museveni has elevated Major General Sam Kavuma to the rank of Lieutenant General (Lt Gen) and designated 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 following the withdrawal of funding from various nations, including the US, China, France, Germany, and the UK. This decision stemmed from the belief that foreign forces had achieved their objectives in Somalia.
Lieutenant General Okiding took over the command of ATMIS on November 3, 2022, succeeding Burundian Lieutenant General Diomede Ndegeya. Despite initial plans for the withdrawal of AMISSOM troops from Somalia by the end of 2021, forces from Uganda, Burundi, Kenya, and Ethiopia remained due to concerns about the readiness of Somali security forces to combat threats, particularly from Al-Shabaab militants.
Recently, President Museveni appointed Lieutenant General Okiding as the Deputy Chief of Defence Forces (CDF). Colonel Akiiki, the Deputy UPDF Spokesperson, explained that Lieutenant General Okiding’s new role 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,” said Col Akiiki. In his new capacity, 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 impact his political movement, the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU), which he launched two months ago to garner support ahead of the 2026 presidential elections.
As CDF, General Muhoozi is prohibited from engaging in public political activities, a role he previously fulfilled as an advisor to his father on special security operations. General Muhoozi now holds the highest military rank.
Supporters of General Muhoozi’s pressure group have urged him to retire from the military to focus on political pursuits.
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.
