By John Ikani
Uganda’s military spy chief Maj Gen Abel Kandiho has been removed from his position, weeks after the US imposed financial sanctions on him over alleged human rights abuses.
The US Treasury last month slapped Kandiho with sanctions, citing his and his office’s involvement in serious human rights violations.
Kandiho, who has been the Commander of the feared Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence since January 2017, has faced accusations of abuses including beatings, sexual assault and electrocution.
Kandiho will take up a new role as security envoy in South Sudan and has been replaced in the military intelligence role by former Special Forces Commander Major General James Birungi, Uganda’s Defence Ministry said in a statement.
The transfer comes just days after President Yoweri Museveni’s son, Lt Gen Kainerugaba Muhoozi, visited Rwanda for talks with President Paul Kagame – a trip that marked warming relations between the neighbouring countries after years of tensions.
Rwanda had earlier accused Maj Gen Kandiho of working with its dissidents.
Kandiho has featured in various reports linking him presiding over the arbitrary arrest, torture and cruel treatment of Rwandans on Uganda soil and most of whom have died, suffered gross injuries and were gradually dumped at the border.
Maj Gen Kandiho’s deputy has also been redeployed – to head the State House Anti-Corruption Unit.
