By Mwine Moses

The Commander in Chief (CIC) of the Uganda Peoples Defence Forces (UPDF) has relieved Maj. Gen. Abel Kandiho of his duties as the head of the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI).

Reliable sources reveal that Kandiho, who was last years slapped with international travel sanctions by the  government of the United States of America (USA).

Kandiho has since been sent to Sudan on official duty after president Museveni appointed Maj. Gen.  James  Birungi to replace him.

The CLF Lt. Gen. Muhoozi was amongst first senior officers to congratulate Kandiho upon his new appointment.

“I congratulate both Maj. General Abel Kandiho and Maj. General James Birungi on their new appointments. Hongera sana,” Muhoozi tweeted Tuesday.

However, although the development comes an coincidence, it should be noted that Kandiho’s knifing comes a few days after the Commander of Land Forces Lt. Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, also the First Son, held a private meeting with Rwandan president Gen. Paul Kagame in Kigali, Rwanda.

Lt. Gen. Muhoozi traveled to Kigali over the weekend and held deliberations with President Kagame on behalf of his father President Museveni, although both governments opted to keep the matters discussed between them confidential.

But it should be noted the government in Kigali has for a long time faulted Kandiho for allegedly being behind the arrest and torture of several Rwandans in Uganda, many of who have since been freed from CMI and deported back to Rwanda, while the whereabouts of several others are still a mystery.

The government in Kigali reached the extent of demanding Uganda hands over Kandiho and other senior military officials such that they could be tried for kidnap and torture of Rwandans in Uganda, although the Ugandan government came out and vehemently refuted the allegations.