Maj. Gen. James Mugira is among the few senior officials likely to ‘eat big’ in the looming army reshuffle.
This website understands that the Commander in Chief (CiC) of UPDF, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has over the years been impressed with Gen. Mugira’s performance specifically while at the helm of National Enterprise Corporation (NEC), a commercial arm of the army.
Mugira-The Star Soldier
General Mugira was dropped as Chief of Military Intelligence in 2012 and appointed head of Luwero Industries before he took over NEC in April 2015.
While he was relieved of his duties as Military Intelligence Commander and transferred to Luwero, many security officials perceived the move as a demotion. This happened at a time Mugira had developed poor relations with Gen. Kale Kayihura who then headed police.
The pair had clashed in 2010 over terror suspects who bombed Kyadondo Rugby Grounds and Ethiopian Village Kansanga, both in Kampala.
Mugira took a low profile and embarked on executing his duties with precision.
An official in the army who wished not to be mentioned told this website that Mugira is among the few soldiers President Museveni has trusted with highly classified missions.
In fact Mugira was compelled to mend his differences with Kayihura because the two had been assigned to, “oversee delicate responsibilities of the army. There is no way they would keep at loggerheads.”
Sensitive Defence Permanent Secretary Job
Against that backdrop, Museveni considers transferring Mugira to UPDF headquarters to take over as the Defence accounting officer.
This is one of the most sensitive jobs and the person occupying the slot reports directly to the President.
The job had been executed by Brig. Noble Mayombo who was considered one of the finest brains Uganda had until his demise in 2009.
Late Mayombo was replaced by Rosette Byengoma whose contract will expire next year.
But we have learnt that Byengoma who is in her 60s has been pleading with the President to relieve her because of old age and poor health.
Byengoma’s condition, a relative told this website is gradually worsening and she finds herself fatigued all the time in the execution of her many duties and office roles which come with a pile of work load.
She is reportedly suffering from diabetes.
Looming Reshuffle
TrumpetNews has further understood of an upcoming reshuffle in the army which will be characterised by transfers, appointments and promotions.
“Most senior officers at the rank of Colonel will be elevated to Brigadier,” a source said.
But in case Mugira doesn’t assume the office of Permanent Secretary at Mbuya, he will be posted to Arusha Tanzania to head a regional military unit identified as East African Military Enhancement and monitoring authority.
“Mugira has been coordinating and chairing the standing committee and is likely to take over as the head,” a source said.
Who is Mugira?
He is a lawyer by profession with first class honours Degree-LLB (Makerere); Master of Laws in International Business Law-LLM (University of Manchester) and Master of Arts in International Affairs (Legon University Ghana).
Having joined NRA in its early stages of its struggle from Kasese, Mugira has a Diploma in Legal Practice from the Law Development Centre (LDC) where he was awarded the Attorney Generals Prize and is an Advocate of the High Court of Uganda.
He is a graduate of the prestigious Monduli Military Academy, Tanzania and the Ghana Senior Command and Staff College in addition to a number of military intelligence academies in U.K and USA
Those who have worked closely under him say Mugira is a no-nonsense officer.
He is strict disciplinarian and strict time keeper. He is a reserved down to earth officer who prefers to keep a low profile.
Mugira is a son to George Wilson Kaguhangire of Rushere, Kiruhura (a retired teacher and magistrate).
He previously worked as Private Secretary to the President and Commander of the Armoured Brigade based in Masaka among others.