Former Deputy Defence Spokesperson, Colonel Deo Akiiki, has been appointed as the Military Assistant to the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Senior Presidential Adviser on Special Operations, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba.
Col. Akiiki announced his new role on Friday, February 28, expressing deep gratitude to the UPDF leadership for entrusting him with the position.
“It has been a great honour to work in the Defence Public Information Department for the past 20 years,” he said on X.
He added: “I am eternally grateful to the media fraternity that I have worked with for this long, to the great leadership of UPDF that has given me all the opportunities and required training to serve. I am most of all extremely grateful to the CDF General Muhoozi Kainerugaba for identifying and trusting me to serve as his Military Assistant. Alluta Continua.”
This move signals a major shift within the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF), leaving the deputy spokesperson role vacant at Mbuya and possibly prompting a redeployment within the military’s public relations department.
With over two decades in military public relations, Col. Akiiki has played a pivotal role in shaping the UPDF’s communication strategies.
Since 2004, he has worked closely with the media, covering major military operations such as the fight against the Lord’s Resistance Army in northern Uganda, the Karamoja disarmament programme, UPDF missions in Somalia, and Operation Lightning Thunder in DR Congo.
For the past seven years, he has served as the deputy spokesperson of the UPDF, engaging with both local and international media on security matters. His wealth of experience in defence communications has established him as a trusted voice for the UPDF.
A Strategic Role at the Helm of the UPDF
A Military Assistant to a senior officer such as the Chief of Defence Forces plays a crucial support role, handling both operational and administrative tasks. These responsibilities vary but typically include advisory duties, liaison, intelligence briefings, protocol, and communications management.
In Col. Akiiki’s case, his new role as Military Assistant to Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba will involve providing strategic advice on defence matters and special operations while also coordinating between the CDF, military units, and government agencies.
Additionally, he will oversee key administrative functions such as managing the CDF’s schedule, briefings, and official correspondence.
Given his extensive background in military communications, Akiiki’s appointment highlights a strong emphasis on defence media relations and strategic messaging. His expertise will be instrumental in maintaining UPDF’s public image and handling military-media engagements effectively.
His global experience includes participation in international programs such as the U.S. Human Rights Foreign Policy programme in Washington, D.C., and the European Center for Security Studies in Germany.