By Spy Uganda
Uganda has taken a fresh step to bolster its military diplomacy with the appointment of Col Deo Akiiki as the country’s new military attaché and defence advisor in Washington, D.C., a move seen as part of wider efforts to recalibrate relations with the United States.
The appointment, announced on Wednesday night by the Chief of Defence Forces, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, will see Col Akiiki replace Col Peter Sonko Buwungo in one of Uganda’s most strategic foreign postings.
Speaking on Thursday, Col Akiiki confirmed the development, noting that he is awaiting the completion of formal diplomatic processes between Kampala and Washington before assuming office.
“I am ready to serve in the new role once the necessary diplomatic clearances are concluded,” he said.
The posting places Col Akiiki at the heart of Uganda’s defence engagement with the United States, at a time when relations between the two countries have faced strain over governance and security concerns. Analysts say the role will be pivotal in managing military cooperation, intelligence sharing, and strategic communication between the two governments.
The appointment also comes against the backdrop of a recent high-profile visit to Kampala by Michael Flynn, a retired U.S. general and former National Security Advisor under Donald Trump.
During his visit less than three weeks ago, Flynn held meetings with President Yoweri Museveni and Gen Kainerugaba, and addressed senior Ugandan military officers. His presence sparked debate among political and security observers, with some interpreting it as a signal of renewed backchannel engagement between Kampala and influential figures in Washington.
Flynn, who leads the Flynn Intel Group, has had a long career in U.S. national security, including serving as Director of the Defence Intelligence Agency before retiring in 2014. His engagements in Kampala raised speculation that Uganda could be seeking to strengthen ties with the U.S., particularly amid ongoing sanctions targeting some officials in Uganda and the wider Great Lakes region.
Col Akiiki brings to the role a blend of operational and communications experience. Since February last year, he has served as Military Assistant to Gen Kainerugaba. Before that, he was the Deputy Defence Public Information Officer at the Ministry of Defence, where he played a key role in shaping the military’s public communication.
His new assignment is expected to test both his diplomatic acumen and strategic communication skills as Uganda navigates a complex international environment and seeks to maintain critical security partnerships.
Observers note that the Washington posting will be closely watched for signals on the future direction of Uganda–U.S. defence relations, particularly in an era marked by shifting geopolitical interests and increased scrutiny of governance and human rights issues in the region.
