Mugisha Muntu
Encyclopedia
Major General
(Retired) Mugisha Muntuyera, commonly referred to as Mugisha Muntu, is a Ugandan politician
and former military officer. He is a member of the Forum for Democratic Change
(FDC), a Ugandan political party. In 2008, he unsuccessfully contested for the party's presidency, against Kizza Besigye
. From 1989 until 1998, he served as the Commander of the Army
, the highest military position in the Ugandan military at that time. When the National Resistance Army
was renamed the Uganda People's Defence Force
(UPDF), General Muntu became Commander of the UPDF
.
Uganda to the late Enock Ruzima Muntuyera and Aida Matama Muntuyera. He had an affluent childhood as his father was a strong government functionary and close friend of former Ugandan ruler Milton Obote
. He attended Mbarara Junior School, Kitunga Primary and Kitunga High School. Kitunga High School was later renamed Muntuyera High School, in memory of his father by his friend President Obote
. Muntu later attended Makerere College School
. He subsequently went on to graduate in political science
from Makerere University
where he was deputy president of the students union.
of Yoweri Museveni
the day he completed his university exams to the chagrin of his family and President Obote
, who considered him a son. Early into the rebellion he was shot in the chest but survived after receiving treatment in Kampala
. Later he emerged as the head of Military Intelligence after the NRA victory in 1986. In military intelligence he had under his command, personalities like Paul Kagame
who would later become the president of the Republic of Rwanda.
Mugisha Muntu underwent further military training in Russia
before becoming a division commander in northern Uganda. He rose to the rank of Major General
within the UPDF
. He was later to serve as Commander of the UPDF
. That post was later renamed Chief of Defence Forces of Uganda
. As army chief he oversaw the demobilization of many sections of the army and bought new equipment for the force. He is Uganda
's longest-longest-serving army commander, a position he occupied from 1989 until 1998. He gained repute as an incorruptible officer in an army riddled with corrupt officers.
(1994–1995) and parliamentarian. After disagreeing with Museveni's sectarian approach to politics and the military, he was removed from the army command and appointed minister, a position he politely turned down. In August 2006, he was selected by the members of the Ugandan Parliament to serve as one of the nine (9) Ugandan representatives to the East African Legislative Assembly
(EALA).
Major General
Major general or major-general is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. A major general is a high-ranking officer, normally subordinate to the rank of lieutenant general and senior to the ranks of brigadier and brigadier general...
(Retired) Mugisha Muntuyera, commonly referred to as Mugisha Muntu, is a Ugandan politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
and former military officer. He is a member of the Forum for Democratic Change
Forum for Democratic Change
The Forum for Democratic Change , founded on December 16, 2004, is the main opposition party in Uganda. FDC was founded as an umbrella body mostly for disenchanted former members and followers President Yoweri Museveni's National Resistance Movement...
(FDC), a Ugandan political party. In 2008, he unsuccessfully contested for the party's presidency, against Kizza Besigye
Kizza Besigye
Warren Kizza Besigye Kifefe, commonly known as Kizza Besigye, is a Ugandan physician, politician and former military officer, in the in the UPDF. He currently serves as the Chairman of the Forum for Democratic Change political party...
. From 1989 until 1998, he served as the Commander of the Army
National Resistance Army
The National Resistance Army , the military wing of the National Resistance Movement , was a rebel army that waged a guerrilla war, commonly referred to as the Luwero War or "the war in the bush", against the government of Milton Obote, and later that of Tito Okello.NRA was supported by Muammar...
, the highest military position in the Ugandan military at that time. When the National Resistance Army
National Resistance Army
The National Resistance Army , the military wing of the National Resistance Movement , was a rebel army that waged a guerrilla war, commonly referred to as the Luwero War or "the war in the bush", against the government of Milton Obote, and later that of Tito Okello.NRA was supported by Muammar...
was renamed the Uganda People's Defence Force
Uganda People's Defence Force
The Uganda Peoples Defence Force , previously the National Resistance Army, is the armed forces of Uganda. The International Institute for Strategic Studies estimates the UPDF has a total strength of 40–45,000, and consists of land forces and an Air Wing.The IISS Military Balance 2007 says there...
(UPDF), General Muntu became Commander of the UPDF
Uganda People's Defence Force
The Uganda Peoples Defence Force , previously the National Resistance Army, is the armed forces of Uganda. The International Institute for Strategic Studies estimates the UPDF has a total strength of 40–45,000, and consists of land forces and an Air Wing.The IISS Military Balance 2007 says there...
.
History
Mugisha Muntu was born in October 1958 at Kitunga village in AnkoleAnkole
Ankole, also referred to as Nkore, is one of four traditional kingdoms in Uganda. The kingdom is located in the southwestern Uganda, east of Lake Edward. It was ruled by a monarch known as The Mugabe or Omugabe of Ankole. The kingdom was formally abolished in 1967 by the government of President...
Uganda to the late Enock Ruzima Muntuyera and Aida Matama Muntuyera. He had an affluent childhood as his father was a strong government functionary and close friend of former Ugandan ruler Milton Obote
Milton Obote
Apolo Milton Obote , Prime Minister of Uganda from 1962 to 1966 and President of Uganda from 1966 to 1971, then again from 1980 to 1985. He was a Ugandan political leader who led Uganda towards independence from the British colonial administration in 1962.He was overthrown by Idi Amin in 1971, but...
. He attended Mbarara Junior School, Kitunga Primary and Kitunga High School. Kitunga High School was later renamed Muntuyera High School, in memory of his father by his friend President Obote
Milton Obote
Apolo Milton Obote , Prime Minister of Uganda from 1962 to 1966 and President of Uganda from 1966 to 1971, then again from 1980 to 1985. He was a Ugandan political leader who led Uganda towards independence from the British colonial administration in 1962.He was overthrown by Idi Amin in 1971, but...
. Muntu later attended Makerere College School
Makerere College School
Makerere College School is a mixed, middle and high school in Uganda. It is predominantly a day-school, but it does have limited boarding facilities.-Location:...
. He subsequently went on to graduate in political science
Political science
Political Science is a social science discipline concerned with the study of the state, government and politics. Aristotle defined it as the study of the state. It deals extensively with the theory and practice of politics, and the analysis of political systems and political behavior...
from Makerere University
Makerere University
Makerere University , Uganda's largest and second-oldest higher institution of learning, , was first established as a technical school in 1922. In 1963 it became the University of East Africa, offering courses leading to general degrees from the University of London...
where he was deputy president of the students union.
Military career
Muntu joined the guerrilla National Resistance ArmyNational Resistance Army
The National Resistance Army , the military wing of the National Resistance Movement , was a rebel army that waged a guerrilla war, commonly referred to as the Luwero War or "the war in the bush", against the government of Milton Obote, and later that of Tito Okello.NRA was supported by Muammar...
of Yoweri Museveni
Yoweri Museveni
Yoweri Kaguta Museveni is a Ugandan politician and statesman. He has been President of Uganda since 26 January 1986.Museveni was involved in the war that deposed Idi Amin Dada, ending his rule in 1979, and in the rebellion that subsequently led to the demise of the Milton Obote regime in 1985...
the day he completed his university exams to the chagrin of his family and President Obote
Milton Obote
Apolo Milton Obote , Prime Minister of Uganda from 1962 to 1966 and President of Uganda from 1966 to 1971, then again from 1980 to 1985. He was a Ugandan political leader who led Uganda towards independence from the British colonial administration in 1962.He was overthrown by Idi Amin in 1971, but...
, who considered him a son. Early into the rebellion he was shot in the chest but survived after receiving treatment in Kampala
Kampala
Kampala is the largest city and capital of Uganda. The city is divided into five boroughs that oversee local planning: Kampala Central Division, Kawempe Division, Makindye Division, Nakawa Division and Lubaga Division. The city is coterminous with Kampala District.-History: of Buganda, had chosen...
. Later he emerged as the head of Military Intelligence after the NRA victory in 1986. In military intelligence he had under his command, personalities like Paul Kagame
Paul Kagame
Paul Kagame is the sixth and current President of the Republic of Rwanda. He rose to prominence as the leader of the Rwandan Patriotic Front , whose victory over the incumbent government in July 1994 effectively ended the Rwandan genocide...
who would later become the president of the Republic of Rwanda.
Mugisha Muntu underwent further military training in Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
before becoming a division commander in northern Uganda. He rose to the rank of Major General
Major General
Major general or major-general is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. A major general is a high-ranking officer, normally subordinate to the rank of lieutenant general and senior to the ranks of brigadier and brigadier general...
within the UPDF
Uganda People's Defence Force
The Uganda Peoples Defence Force , previously the National Resistance Army, is the armed forces of Uganda. The International Institute for Strategic Studies estimates the UPDF has a total strength of 40–45,000, and consists of land forces and an Air Wing.The IISS Military Balance 2007 says there...
. He was later to serve as Commander of the UPDF
Uganda People's Defence Force
The Uganda Peoples Defence Force , previously the National Resistance Army, is the armed forces of Uganda. The International Institute for Strategic Studies estimates the UPDF has a total strength of 40–45,000, and consists of land forces and an Air Wing.The IISS Military Balance 2007 says there...
. That post was later renamed Chief of Defence Forces of Uganda
UPDF
UPDF may refer to:*Uganda People's Defence Force*UP Diksiyonaryong Filipino...
. As army chief he oversaw the demobilization of many sections of the army and bought new equipment for the force. He is Uganda
Uganda
Uganda , officially the Republic of Uganda, is a landlocked country in East Africa. Uganda is also known as the "Pearl of Africa". It is bordered on the east by Kenya, on the north by South Sudan, on the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, on the southwest by Rwanda, and on the south by...
's longest-longest-serving army commander, a position he occupied from 1989 until 1998. He gained repute as an incorruptible officer in an army riddled with corrupt officers.
Political career
Muntu was a member of the constituent assemblyConstituent assembly
A constituent assembly is a body composed for the purpose of drafting or adopting a constitution...
(1994–1995) and parliamentarian. After disagreeing with Museveni's sectarian approach to politics and the military, he was removed from the army command and appointed minister, a position he politely turned down. In August 2006, he was selected by the members of the Ugandan Parliament to serve as one of the nine (9) Ugandan representatives to the East African Legislative Assembly
East African Community
The East African Community is an intergovernmental organisation comprising the five east African countries Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda. Pierre Nkurunziza, the President of the Republic of Burundi, is the current Chairman of the East African Community. The EAC was originally...
(EALA).
See also
- Uganda People's Defense Force
- Forum for Democratic ChangeForum for Democratic ChangeThe Forum for Democratic Change , founded on December 16, 2004, is the main opposition party in Uganda. FDC was founded as an umbrella body mostly for disenchanted former members and followers President Yoweri Museveni's National Resistance Movement...
- National Resistance MovementNational Resistance MovementThe National Resistance Movement , commonly referred to as the Movement, is a political organization in Uganda.Until a referendum in 2005, Uganda held elections on a non-party basis. The NRM dominates parliament, however, and is expected to continue to do so. The presidential elections of 12 March...
- Salim SalehSalim SalehGeneral Salim Saleh , is an adviser to the President of Uganda on military matters. Formerly, he was the Ugandan Minister of State for Microfinance. Before that, he was a high ranking military official of UPDF, the armed forces of Uganda. He is a brother of the current President of Uganda, Yoweri...
- Elly TumwineElly TumwineGeneral Elly Tumwine , is a Ugandan professional artist, educator and military officer. He is a former Commander of the Army in Uganda, the highest military position in the country at that time...
- Jeje OdongoJeje OdongoGeneral Haji Abubaker Jeje Odongo is a Ugandan military officer and politician. He is the current State Minister for Defence in Uganda, a post he has served in since February 2009.-History:...
- James KaziniJames KaziniMajor General James Kazini was a Ugandan Army officer. Between 2001 and 2003, he served as Commander of the UPDF, a position that is now known as the Chief of Defence Forces of Uganda, the highest military position within the Uganda People's Defense Force.-History:He was born in 1957 in the...
- Aronda NyakairimaAronda NyakairimaGeneral Aronda Nyakairima is a Ugandan Army officer. He is the current Chief of Defense Forces of Uganda, the highest military rank in the Uganda People's Defense Force. He was born in 1959, in Rukungiri District.-Education:...