Tom Magambo Rwabudongo
HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I Hard work and dedication are some of the reasons General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), has promoted the Director of the Uganda Police Force Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID), Tom Magambo Rwabudongo, from the military rank of Major to Acting Lieutenant Colonel in the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF).
The promotion, announced on Thursday, November 12, 2026, marks another milestone in Magambo’s security career, which spans intelligence gathering, counterintelligence, regional security coordination and criminal investigations.
According to a statement issued by Colonel Chris Magezi, the Acting Director of Defence Public Information at the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs, Gen Muhoozi approved Magambo’s elevation while he continues serving as the CID director.
The promotion raises his UPDF rank but does not change his current responsibilities in the police force. He also retains his police rank of Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIGP).
Although the UPDF statement did not explicitly outline the specific reasons behind the latest promotion, Magambo’s extensive experience in intelligence and security operations, together with his leadership of the country’s principal criminal investigations directorate, provides important context to his elevation.
“The UPDF fraternity congratulates Lieutenant Colonel Magambo for the well-deserved promotion and wishes him continued success in his duties,” Magezi said.
From Private to Major
Magambo’s military career has attracted attention since January 2022, when President Yoweri Museveni appointed him to head the CID, replacing Grace Akullo, who had led the directorate for approximately a decade.
At the time of his appointment, Museveni promoted him from the military rank of Private to Major in the UPDF, an unusual elevation that accompanied his deployment from the intelligence community to head a major police directorate.
His appointment was particularly significant because he became the first military and intelligence officer deployed from outside the police force to lead the CID.
The appointment reflected the government’s decision to draw on intelligence and military experience in strengthening criminal investigations and the country’s security architecture.
Before joining the police leadership, Magambo served in the Internal Security Organisation (ISO), where he held several senior positions, including Director of Analysis and Head of Counterintelligence.
These responsibilities exposed him to intelligence gathering, security assessments and the coordination of operations aimed at identifying and addressing threats to national security.
He also coordinated the Eastern African Fusion and Liaison Unit, a regional intelligence centre based in Entebbe that facilitates cooperation among security agencies in combating terrorism and organised crime.
His experience in intelligence coordination and regional security cooperation therefore forms an important part of the professional background against which his latest military promotion can be viewed.
Museveni renews his CID contract
Magambo’s continued leadership of the CID also received presidential backing in February 2025, when Museveni renewed his contract, allowing him to continue overseeing criminal investigations across the country.
The renewal demonstrated the government’s continued reliance on his leadership at a directorate responsible for investigating a wide range of criminal activities, including serious and organised crimes.
As CID director, Magambo oversees investigations conducted by police detectives and other specialised investigative units across the country.
The directorate plays a central role in gathering evidence, identifying suspects, conducting investigations and preparing criminal cases for prosecution.
His military elevation comes while he continues to discharge these responsibilities, meaning he will simultaneously retain his police rank of AIGP and his elevated UPDF rank.
Milestone in his security career
Gen Muhoozi’s latest decision adds to Magambo’s unusual career progression, having moved from the intelligence community into the police leadership while maintaining his military affiliation.
His elevation to Acting Lieutenant Colonel is particularly notable because it follows his earlier promotion from Private to Major when he was appointed CID director in 2022.
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