KAMPALA
By Joseph Kiggundu
The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) has recalled two senior officers from key leadership positions at the Ministry of Internal Affairs, triggering changes at the Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control (DCIC).
The officers are Maj Gen Apollo Kasiita-Gowa, who has been serving as Director of Citizenship and Immigration Control, and Brig Gen Johnson Abaho Namanya, the Commissioner for Citizenship and Passport Management at DCIC. Both were deployed to the immigration directorate in 2021.
Their departure was confirmed through an internal memo in which Maj Gen Gowa informed staff that their tour of duty at the ministry had come to an end.
“Be informed that I and Brig Johnson Namanya Abaho’s tour of duty in the Ministry of Internal Affairs has come to an end, and we shall be returning to Defence headquarters for other assignments,” the memo reads in part.
Internal Affairs spokesperson, Mr Simon Mundeyi, confirmed the development on Sunday, saying a formal communication would be made.
“The news of their departure from Internal Affairs is true, but we shall address it tomorrow[Monday]. This happens across different government ministries, departments, and agencies,” Mr Mundeyi explained.
New responsibilities
Security sources indicated that the two generals have been directed to report back to UPDF headquarters, where they are expected to take up new roles.
In 2021, the UPDF deployed the two senior officers to the immigration directorate as part of government efforts to streamline operations, strengthen border control, and restore public confidence in passport services.
At the time, the directorate was grappling with delays in passport processing, allegations of corruption involving middlemen, and weaknesses in border management systems.
During their tenure, management introduced measures aimed at streamlining passport applications, strengthening identity verification processes, and enhancing coordination with security agencies at border points.
Efforts were also made to curb the activities of brokers who had infiltrated the passport system and were blamed for delays and corruption complaints.
Although some improvements were registered, high demand for passports and periodic system congestion continued to affect service delivery, especially during peak travel seasons.
Routine military re-deployments
The recall of the two generals is viewed as part of routine military re-deployments. The UPDF has previously assigned senior officers to strategic civilian institutions, with such postings often followed by rotations back into military service.
On his X handle in early February, the Chief of Defense Forces (CDF), Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, said: “I have decided to remove all the officers in immigration that were making life hard for our Ugandan-Banyarwanda to get IDs immediately. Others will be appointed soon.”
By Sunday evenning, the government had not announced replacements at the Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control.