The UPDF has replaced Major General Richard Otto with Brigadier Oscar Munanura as head of defence intelligence, weeks after opposition leader Bobi Wine evaded a security search following Uganda’s disputed January 15 presidential election and amid fresh allegations involving former Deputy CDF Peter Elwelu.
The Chief of Defence Forces, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has appointed Brigadier Oscar Munanura as the new Chief of Defence Intelligence and Security, replacing Major General Richard Otto, who has been reassigned to the Joint Staff Human Resource Management for redeployment.
The changes were announced on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, by Colonel Chris Magezi, the Acting Director of Defence Public Information, in a statement issued on behalf of the Chief of Defence Forces, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba.
Munanura, who previously served as Otto’s deputy, was promoted to the acting rank of major general alongside his appointment to head the military’s intelligence and security directorate.
The UPDF statement did not give a reason for Otto’s reassignment or indicate whether the change was linked to any security failure or ongoing investigation.
Otto took over the intelligence position in April 2025, replacing Major General James Birungi in a reshuffle that saw Birungi move to command the Mountain Infantry Division based in Fort Portal.
Otto had previously commanded the Mountain Infantry Division and UPDF operations against the Allied Democratic Forces in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
His departure comes against the backdrop of heightened scrutiny of security operations following the January 15 presidential election, particularly the failure to locate opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, after he went into hiding.
Kyagulanyi, the National Unity Platform (NUP) presidential candidate, said he escaped a security operation at his home in Magere, Wakiso District, as security forces searched for him following the election.
On January 17, he released a video from an undisclosed location, saying he had gone into hiding after the security operation.
The opposition leader subsequently continued communicating through videos and social media posts while concealing his whereabouts. He later left Uganda for exile abroad, saying he intended to continue his political activities from outside the country.
His disappearance exposed the limits of the security operation mounted around his residence in the runup to the January polls and raised questions about the effectiveness of surveillance and intelligence efforts directed at the opposition leader.
However, no official statement has established that Otto was personally responsible for the operation or that his reassignment was prompted by Kyagulanyi’s escape.
The political and security environment has also been complicated by fresh developments involving former Deputy Chief of Defence Forces Lieutenant General Peter Elwelu.
On Tuesday, Muhoozi announced that Elwelu had gone into hiding and said his wife was being detained.
The allegations involving Elwelu have added to attention surrounding the military’s internal security arrangements. However, the UPDF statement announcing Munanura’s appointment did not link Otto’s reassignment to Elwelu or to any alleged subversive activities.
In its statement, the military congratulated Munanura on his promotion and appointment and commended Otto for his service during his tenure as head of defence intelligence and security.