Former UPDF commander in Somalia under the AMISOM, Brig. Michael Ondoga has been appointed as the new country’s military attache to Saudi Arabia the Nile Post has learnt.
Ondoga was in 2016 appointed the deputy director for the National Enterprise Corporations (NEC) shortly after his charges had been dropped by the General Court Martial.
This website has however learnt that Brig. Ondoga has now been appointed as the new military attache for Uganda in Riyadh, the Saudi Arabian capital.
When contacted, Ondoga could neither deny nor admit but said he was not authorized to comment on the matter.
The army spokesperson, Brig. Richard Karemire confirmed the development.
“It is true. It happened some time back,” Brig. Karemire told this website.
When asked on when Brig. Ondoga will start duties as the new Ugandan Military attache to Riyadh, he said this would happen when all the necessary procedures are completed.
“As soon as we get the agreement from government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, he will begin his duties.”
Background
Brigadier Michael Ondoga’s name gained more prominence between 2008 and 2011 when he served as the UPDF contingent commander in Somalia where he battled Al Shabaab insurgent.
He was later appointed Uganda’s military attache to Kenya but before he took up the position, he was recalled by President Museveni, arrested and detained by the General Court Martial over charges related to corruption.
It was alleged that while the contingent commander for UPDF in Somalia, he allowed the sale of fuel and other logistics to Somalis.
A total of 22 charges were later brought against Brig Ondoga but in May 2015, prosecution withdrew all the charges against him and was accordingly discharged.
In 2016, after three years without deployment, Brig. Michael Ondoga was appointed one of two deputy directors at the National Enterprise Corporations (NEC), the UPDF’s business arm, a position he has held prior to his appointment as Military attache to Saudi Arabia.
