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President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has appointed new leadership for Uganda’s Internal Security Organization (ISO) after the sudden passing of former Director General Brig. Gen. Charles Oluka. According to a statement from the Presidential Press Unit (PPU), Mr. Arthur Mugyenyi has been appointed as the new ISO Director General, while Mr. Tony Kinyera Apecu will serve as the Deputy Director General.

The reshuffle follows the passing of Brig. Gen. Oluka on January 29, 2025. A seasoned military officer and intelligence expert, Oluka had led the agency since 2020. His death created a significant vacancy in Uganda’s security structure, prompting a swift response from the presidency.

Mugyenyi, whose background has not been disclosed, takes on one of Uganda’s most crucial roles. As the head of ISO, which handles domestic intelligence and counterintelligence, he will play a key role in ensuring national security.

​Analysts view Mugyenyi’s appointment as a continuation of President Museveni’s focus on stabilizing internal security amid regional tensions. Tony Kinyera Apecu, previously less prominent in security circles, replaces Col. Emma Katabazi as Deputy Director General of ISO. Katabazi, a seasoned military officer, has been reassigned as Deputy Ambassador, though the host country has not been disclosed. This move suggests a broader strategy to rotate experienced personnel into diplomatic roles, potentially enhancing Uganda’s foreign relations.​

The leadership changes highlight President Museveni’s direct involvement in security management. Since assuming power in 1986, the President has maintained strict oversight of intelligence agencies, often placing trusted allies in key roles. The relatively low public profiles of Mugyenyi and Kinyera align with the traditionally discreet nature of ISO’s operations.

Reactions to the appointments have been subdued, with opposition figures calling for greater transparency. “Security agencies must serve the nation, not partisan interests,” said a civil society leader, expressing concerns about accountability.

Nevertheless, government spokespersons defended the reshuffle as “routine and necessary” to ensure continued stability.

As Uganda faces economic challenges and regional security issues, the new ISO leadership will encounter immediate challenges. Observers will closely monitor changes in the agency’s operations and whether President Museveni’s recent appointments can maintain his legacy of strong control in a politically volatile environment.