President Yoweri Museveni, in his capacity as the Commander in Chief of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF)

Gen Kandiho will be replaced by Maj Gen James Birungi (pictured in blue). Pulse Live Uganda

Kandiho will play a significant role in strengthening the longstanding ties between Uganda and South Sudan. Uganda’s military support to independent South Sudan, under Museveni, goes back to the implementation of the negotiated settlement reached in August 2015 between the parties in the war in South Sudan.

Kandiho replaces Maj Gen James Birungi who, effective 16 December 2020, was on special assignment "to monitor on behalf of the guarantors of the South Sudan peace process, the assembling, screening, demobilization and integration of the armed forces of South Sudan".

Gen. Kainerugaba tweeted about the new appointments Pulse Live Uganda

On that assignment, Birungi had replaced Maj Gen Paul Lokech (RIP) who was subsequently appointed the Deputy Inspector General of Police in Uganda.

Birungi has now been appointed as the new CMI Director General, replacing Kandiho.

The Commander Land Forces in the UPDF, Lt Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, confirmed the new changes in a tweet.

“I congratulate both Maj.General Abel Kandiho and Maj.General James Birungi on their new appointments. Hongera sana,” Kainerugaba tweeted.

Kandiho is a controversial figure having been slapped with sanctions by the United States government for allegedly violating human rights and committing several crimes against humanity.

“The Treasury will continue to defend against authoritarianism, promoting accountability for violent repression of people seeking to exercise their human rights and fundamental freedoms,” Andrea Gacki, director of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control, said in the statement as Kandiho was sanctioned.

Sanctions against Kandiho meant that if he had any assets in the U.S., they were frozen and the US would not deal with him.

At the time, former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo weighed in on the matter, especially with regard to Kandiho’s role in the January presidential elections in Uganda.

“The United States is a longstanding partner of Uganda. We expect our partners to live up to their obligations to hold free and fair elections. We are paying close attention to the actions of individuals who seek to impede the ongoing democratic process,” Pompeo said.

However, in response, the UPDF expressed its disenchantment and disappointment with such sanctions.

“As a country and UPDF in particular, a reputable government institution, we are disappointed that such a decision could be made by a country we consider friendly, a partner and great ally without due process and in total disregard of the principle of fair hearing coupled with failure to make necessary consultations," Brig Flavia Byekwaso, the UPDF spokesperson at the time said.

However, although many will view Kandiho’s transfer as a softening of Uganda’s stance on the issue of sanctions, it must be noted that Birungi was one of several soldiers, alongside Kandiho, to be sanctioned or to be recommended for sanctioning.

At the time sanctions were invoked by the US, seven commanders of security forces in Uganda were to be placed on America’s list of Specially Delegated Nationals and Blocked Persons (SDN). This list has individuals targeted under various U.S. sanctions programs.

The seven commanders were Lt. Gen. Peter Elwelu, the Commander of Land Forces, Maj. Gen. James Birungi, the Commander of the Special Forces Command, Maj. Gen. Don William Nabasa, the former Commander of the Special Forces Command, Maj. Gen. Abel Kandiho, the Chief of Military Intelligence, Maj. Gen. Steven Sabiiti Muzeyi, the Deputy Inspector of General of Police, Frank Mwesigwa, a Commissioner of Police, and Col. Chris Serunjogi Ddamulira, the Director of Crime Intelligence.