President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has appointed new leadership for Uganda’s Internal Security Organization (ISO), following the sudden death of former Director General Brig. Gen. Charles Oluka. In a statement released by the Presidential Press Unit (PPU), Mr. Arthur Mugyenyi was named the new ISO Director General, while Mr. Tony Kinyera Apecu takes over as Deputy Director General.
The reshuffle comes weeks after the passing of Brig. Gen. Oluka, who died on January 29, 2025. Oluka, a seasoned military officer and intelligence expert, had led the agency since 2020. His death left a critical vacancy in Uganda’s security infrastructure, prompting swift action from the presidency.
Mugyenyi, whose background remains under wraps, steps into one of Uganda’s most sensitive roles. ISO, responsible for domestic intelligence and counterintelligence, plays a pivotal part in national security.
Analysts suggest his appointment signals continuity in Museveni’s longstanding focus on stabilizing internal security amid regional tensions.
Meanwhile, Tony Kinyera Apecu, previously less visible in security circles, replaces Col. Emma Katabazi as Deputy Director. General. Katabazi, a career military officer, has been reassigned as Deputy Ambassador, though the host country remains undisclosed.
The move hints at a broader strategy to rotate experienced personnel into diplomatic roles, potentially strengthening Uganda’s foreign relations.
The leadership overhaul underscores Museveni’s hands-on approach to security management. Since taking power in 1986, the President has prioritized tight control over intelligence agencies, often appointing trusted allies to key positions. Mugyenyi and Kinyera’s lack of public profiles aligns with ISO’s traditionally discreet operations.
Reactions to the appointments have been muted, with opposition figures calling for transparency. “Security agencies must serve the nation, not partisan interests,” remarked a civil society leader, reflecting concerns over accountability.
However, government spokespersons defended the changes as “routine and necessary” to maintain stability.
As Uganda navigates economic pressures and regional security challenges, the new ISO team faces immediate tests. Observers will watch closely for shifts in the agency’s operations—and whether Museveni’s latest picks can uphold his legacy of firm control in a volatile political climate.
