KAMPALA — Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has appointed Col Deo Asiimwe Akiiki as the country’s new Military Attaché and Defence Advisor to Washington, D.C., in a move that places one of his most trusted insiders at the centre of Uganda’s most sensitive defence relationship.
The late-night deployment replaces Col Peter Sonko Buwungo and comes at a time when relations between Uganda and the United States remain under strain, with growing scrutiny over governance, human rights, and military engagements in the region.
Col Akiiki confirmed the appointment on Thursday but indicated that formal assumption of duty will depend on diplomatic clearances between Kampala and Washington. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has yet to communicate official accreditation details, leaving the process shrouded in uncertainty.
Akiiki’s elevation marks a significant shift from his long-standing role as a military communications officer to high-stakes defence diplomacy. For over two decades, he has been a familiar face in uniform, serving as deputy army spokesperson and shaping the narrative around key operations—from northern Uganda campaigns against the LRA to missions in Somalia and eastern DRC. His steady presence in crisis communication built credibility within the ranks and visibility in the public eye.
His proximity to power, however, has been most pronounced in recent months. In 2025, he was appointed personal Military Assistant to Gen Muhoozi, placing him at the core of operational and strategic decision-making. His transfer to Washington, barely a year later, signals a deliberate move to extend that inner circle influence beyond Uganda’s borders.
Military attachés in Washington are far from ceremonial figures. They serve as critical conduits for intelligence cooperation, joint training programmes, and defence negotiations. At a time when bilateral ties face friction, the role demands not only professional military competence but also diplomatic finesse and strategic depth.
The timing of Akiiki’s posting is particularly notable. Tensions have simmered following sharp rhetoric from both sides, including criticism from senior U.S. policymakers and Uganda’s firm pushback against perceived external interference. Behind the scenes, however, quiet engagement has persisted, underscoring the enduring importance of security cooperation between the two countries.
Deploying a loyal and trusted officer to Washington could serve as a stabilising bridge in this delicate phase—ensuring message discipline and direct alignment with the CDF’s strategic posture. At the same time, it reinforces a broader pattern where key appointments increasingly draw from a tight inner circle, raising concerns about institutional balance and the traditional role of civilian-led foreign policy processes.
The absence of a clearly communicated inter-ministerial process in this appointment adds to those concerns, particularly given the sensitivity of defence diplomacy at Uganda’s most critical foreign mission.
Who is Col Deo Akiiki?
Col Deo Asiimwe Akiiki is a senior officer in the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) with over 20 years of service, largely built in military communication and public affairs.
He rose through the ranks as a professional media handler, serving as Deputy Director of Defence Public Information and long-time deputy army spokesperson. In that role, he became one of the army’s most consistent public voices, handling sensitive briefings on counter-insurgency operations, regional deployments, and national security developments.
Akiiki has been closely associated with shaping the UPDF’s public image during complex operations, including missions under AMISOM in Somalia and engagements in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
In 2025, his career took a decisive turn when he was appointed personal Military Assistant to Muhoozi Kainerugaba—a position that placed him within the CDF’s inner decision-making circle. The role significantly elevated his influence and visibility within the military establishment.
His latest appointment to Washington marks his first major diplomatic posting, transitioning from military communications to frontline defence diplomacy at a time when Uganda’s international engagements require careful navigation.
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