Gen Kavuma promoted, sent to Somalia

President Yoweri Museveni has promoted Maj Gen. Sam Kavuma to the rank of Lietenant General and appointed him the new Force Commander of African Union Transition Union Mission in Somalia (ATMIS).

Kavuma, replaces Lt Gen. Samuel Okiding who was recently appointed Deputy Chief of Defence Forces.

The development has been confirmed in a statement by the Defence and Military spokesperson, Brig Gen Felix Kulayigye.

Gen Kavuma has been one of 10 army representatives to the 11th Parliament. The others are Gen Katumba Wamala, Gen Wilson Mbadi, Gen David Muhoozi, Lt Gen Peter Elwelu, and Lt Gen James Mugira.

Others are Maj Gen Henry Masiko, Col Dr Victoria Nekesa, Lt Col Charity Bainababo, and Maj Dr Jeniffer Alanyo.

Until his latest appointment, Kavuma has served as the deputy coordinator of the Operation Wealth Creation since June 2021, when he was appointed by Gen Museveni.

He is not new to deployment in Somalia having previously served there as the Commander of the UPDF Contingent, as part of the African Union Mission to Somalia.

He had been appointed to that position by Museveni in October 2014, replacing Maj Gen Dick Olum who served in that position from September 2013 until October 2014.

Before that, Kavuma, served as Commander of the Regional Taskforce against the LRA in South Sudan and Central African Republic (CAR) after replacing Olum.

Kavuma, has also served as the deputy commander of the UPDF Air Force as well as Deputy Commander of Land Forces.