Museveni appoints Arthur Mugyenyi as new ISO chief

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President Yoweri Museveni has appointed Arthur Mugyenyi, one of the longest-serving operatives as the new director general of the Internal Security Organisation (ISO).

The appointment follows the demise of Brig. Gen Charles Oluka, who succumbed to heart complications at a Seguku hospital on the Kampala-Entebbe Highway on January 29, 2025.

 

Arthur Mugyenyi, new Director General of the Internal Security Organization (ISO). (Courtesy)

Faruk Kirunda, the special presidential assistant in charge of the press and mobilisation, said in a statement last evening that the President also appointed Tony Kinyera Apecu as the new deputy ISO boss. Apecu replaces Col Emmy Katabazi who was acting director general following Oluka’s demise. Katabazi has been moved to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

 

Tony Kinyera Apecu, new Deputy Director General of ISO. (Courtesy)

ISO under Oluka was pivotal in the apprehending of criminals involved in subversive activities and criminality, including the Greater Masaka machete attacks that left close to 30 people killed between July and September 2021.

This is not the first time a senior ISO boss has been transferred to the foreign affairs ministry. Brig. Gen Ronnie Balya is currently serving as Uganda’s ambassador to South Sudan, based in Juba since 2017, while Col Frank Kaka Bagyenda was appointed as Uganda’s Ambassador to Angola, although he declined the offer.

Others who have served as director generals at ISO include Maj. Gen. (rtd) Jim Muhwezi (currently security minister), Phillip Idro (currently working with Operation Wealth Creation), Dr Amos Mukumbi, Lt. Gen. (rtd) Henry Tumukunde and Maj. Gen. (rtd) Elly Kayanja.

“The appointments of Mugyenyi and Apecu are intended to bolster Uganda’s internal security operations amid evolving threats and as the country prepares for the 2026 elections,” sources revealed.

When contacted, Mugyenyi, who joined ISO in 1997, expressed gratitude to the appointing authority, saying he is confident that the President based on his ability to appoint him for the role.

He promised to work with other operatives, saying ISO has a strong team and extensive networks around the country.

“It is a huge task but we shall handle it because we have a very good team and big networks,” the newly appointed ISO new director general said.

 

Mugyenyi’s Profile

Mugyenyi was born in Mbarara in 1972 to Canon Charles Rubendana and Mary Rubendana. His career highlights include district internal security officer, serving in Mbarara, Ntungamo, Kibaale and Kisoro districts from 2001 up to 2006. He was later deployed to Parliament as the ISO liaison officer.

Later, Mugyenyi served as the ISO director for political affairs, a position he has been holding since 2017 to date. He replaced Lt Col Joseph Aliganyira, who was among the ISO directors suspended then.

 

Who is Apecu?

Born on January 25, 1977 in Nebbi district, Apecu was the ISO director analysis and information production between 2022 to 2025. From 2020 to 2023, he was the deputy director political affairs. Apecu headed the Joint Intelligence Committee from 2016 to 2021. He was the section head in charge of regional analysis under the directorate of analysis at the ISO headquarters from 2011 to 2016.

He was also an analyst at the ISO headquarters’ Central Analysis Unit from 2007 to 2011 and deputy DISO Oyam district from 2005 to 2007. From 2003 to 2005, he served as an operative officer at the ISO Directorate of Collection. Apecu has attended specialised training in security and intelligence in Russia, Israel, Germany, Canada, US and South Africa.

Apecu is currently pursuing a doctorate in social studies at Makerere Institute of Social Research. He attained a master’s of philosophy in 2023 at the same institute. He attained a postgraduate diploma in international security and diplomacy at Galilee Institute of International Development in Israel in 2023. Apecu also obtained a master’s degree in public policy and management in 2012 at the University of York in the UK. In 2001, Apecu attained a bachelor’s degree in development studies at Makerere University.

 

About ISO

ISO is the Government’s counter-intelligence agency responsible for providing national security intelligence to Uganda’s policy makers. It also engages in covert activities at the request of the President.

Founded in 1986, ISO was established by an Act of Parliament. The organisation took over the duties first performed by Military Intelligence and like all intelligence agencies, its main function is to ensure the stability and longevity of the State.

Like all intelligence organisations. It does this through monitoring priority government programmes that are critical to the well-being of the state, as well as collecting intelligence on locally based groups engaging in or intending to engage in acts of subversion, sabotage or destabilising the country.