Col Akiiki hands over office to Maj Katamba as Deputy Director of Defence Public Information

The outgoing Deputy Director of Defence Public Information, Col Deo Akiiki has officially passed on his responsibilities to Maj Bilal Katamba.

Akiiki was appointed last month as the Military Assistant to the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Senior Presidential Adviser on Special Operations, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba.

The handover ceremony took place at the Defence Ministry headquarters in Mbuya and was presided over by Maj Gen Felix Kulayigye, the Director of Defence Public Information.

During the event, Kulayigye highlighted the significance of innovation, teamwork, and leadership in fostering development.

“As a leader, you allow people to think both within and outside the box. That’s how people grow; that’s how departments grow," Kulayigye said.

He expressed his appreciation to Akiiki for his years of service, noting his successful completion of assigned tasks and his consistent innovation.

Col Akiiki thanked both civilian and military staff for their support and collaboration throughout his 22 years in the department.

In his acceptance speech, Maj Katamba recognized the guidance he received from Maj Gen Kulayigye and expressed his gratitude to his predecessor, Col Deo Akiiki.

With over 20 years of experience in military public relations, Akiiki has been instrumental in shaping the UPDF’s communication strategy.

Since 2004, he has worked closely with the media, covering significant military operations such as the fight against the Lord’s Resistance Army in northern Uganda, the Karamoja disarmament initiative, UPDF missions in Somalia, and Operation Lightning Thunder in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

In his new role as Military Assistant to Gen Muhoozi, Akiiki will provide strategic advice on defence issues and special operations, while also facilitating coordination between the CDF, military units, and government agencies.

On the other hand, the new Deputy Director of Defence Public Information, Maj Katamba, previously served as the spokesperson for the UPDF Mountain Division and Shujaa Operations in the DRC, where he communicated Uganda’s military efforts against the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF).