BIG STORY : Director General ESO Amb. Ocwet Commends 5th Division Chief Maj Gen Katungi Over Peacful Election In Northern Uganda

Director General of External Security Organization Praises Maj Gen Katungi for Embracing Peace During 2026 Election in Northern Uganda 

Ambassador Joseph Ocwet, the Director General of the External Security Organization, has commended Maj Gen Keith Katungi, the 5th Division Commander, before the President of Uganda, General Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, for his pivotal role in maintaining peace and fostering unity during the recently concluded 2026 General Election in Northern Uganda.

On Saturday, 18th April 2026, at Lango College playground in Lira City, Ambassador Ocwet briefed President Museveni on Maj Gen Katungi’s notable achievements in the Lango region. He highlighted how the Division Commander ensured adequate security measures that facilitated a free, fair, and peaceful electoral process across Northern Uganda.

Ambassador Ocwet described Maj Gen Katungi as a highly trained and disciplined army officer, known for his impeccable integrity, jovial personality, and innovative ideas aimed at national development. He emphasized that under his leadership, Lango remained peaceful during the election period, attributing this stability to the Division Commander’s commitment to peaceful electoral processes.

Expressing his appreciation, Ambassador Ocwet also thanked President Museveni for his proactive leadership and for joining the security agencies in celebrating this significant milestone under the theme of thanksgiving prayers, following the overwhelming support for the NRM government in Lango.

He recalled that the region’s history has been marred by conflict and suffering. “When the UPC government fell, Lango experienced widespread violence, with many lives lost. It was only when President Museveni took power on January 26, 1986, that lasting peace returned to the area,” he stated. 

However, he noted that Lango’s peace was further challenged by rebellions such as Alice Lakwena’s uprising and the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) insurgency under Joseph Kony, which caused prolonged unrest and dissatisfaction among the people. “It took time and consistent leadership to restore trust and stability,” he added.

Ambassador Ocwet praised the current peace and development under the NRM government, highlighting improvements in education, healthcare, and infrastructure, including roads. “These achievements have exceeded expectations, which is why the people of Lango overwhelmingly voted for President Museveni,” he said.

In a related context, on December 16, 2022, during a medal parade and certificate award ceremony at the ATMIS Force Headquarters in Mogadishu, Somalia, H.E. Ambassador Mohamed El-Amine Souef lauded Gen Katungi for his vital role in promoting peace during Somalia’s electoral processes. This recognition underscores Gen Katungi’s extensive experience in handling volatile security situations across the Horn of Africa.

President Museveni appointed Maj Gen Katungi as the 5th Division Commander in May 2023, with the specific objective of stabilizing Northern Uganda. His mission included helping local communities recover from the impacts of cattle rustling by Karamojong tribes from neighboring districts like Abim, Otuke, and Alebtong.

Since his deployment, Northern Uganda has remained largely peaceful. In Lango, there have been no reports of animals lost to Karamojong rustlers, apart from occasional thefts by local individuals, who sometimes masquerade as cattle rustlers. 

Recently, Maj Gen Katungi met with Lango clan leaders, urging the community to embrace peace and avoid internal conflicts. He commended the strong cooperation between security forces and local residents, which he credits as a key factor in the region’s stability. “Northern Uganda is now settled because the community is actively collaborating with security forces—building strong interpersonal networks that foster peace,” he stated. 

He pledged to continue working closely with local leaders and residents to sustain and deepen the peace process in Northern Uganda, emphasizing that unity and cooperation are essential for long-term development.