Ambassador Joseph Ocwet, the Director General of the External Security Organization (ESao), has thanked the 5th Division Commander, Maj Gen Keith Katungi, before the President of Uganda, General Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, for the vital role he played during the recently concluded general elections to ensure total peace and unity in Northern Uganda.
On Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Lango College playgrounds in Lira City, Ambassador Ocwet briefed the President on Maj Gen Katungi’s achievements in Lango, highlighting how he ensured sufficient security in the region to facilitate a free and fair election.
Ambassador Ocwet added that Maj Gen Keith Katungi is a well-trained army officer with impeccable integrity, a jovial personality, and bright ideas for the people of this country.
He noted that Lango was peaceful enough during the general election because the Division Commander championed peaceful electoral processes throughout the region.
Ocwet recalled that when the UPC government fell, many people were killed. It was not until 26th January 1986, when President Museveni took over power, that Lango began experiencing peace again.
Unfortunately, he said, Lango later endured further suffering due to rebellions such as Alice Lakwena’s uprising and the LRA under Joseph Kony, which made the people of Lango unhappy. It took time for them to fully appreciate President Museveni’s leadership.
He additionally praised the current peace and leadership of the NRM government, thanking President Museveni for improving the education system, health facilities, and roads.
He stated that all these great achievements have exceeded expectations, which is why the people of Lango have voted for Museveni in the highest percentage.
Dec 16, 2022 — while receiving a medal parade and certificate award ceremony at the ATMIS Force Headquarters in Mogadishu, the capital city of Somalia, H.E. Ambassador Mohamed El-Amine Souef lauded Gen Katungi for playing a vital role in ensuring total peace during election processes in Somalia.
Also read: Acholi, Lango, and West Nile gave Museveni over 1.4m votes – NRM northern boss Obua
This is not a coincidence. It means that Gen. Keith Katungi came to Lango and Acholi with wide experience of handling volatile situations.
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni posted Maj Gen Keith Katungi as the 5th Division Commander in May 2023, with the objective of helping the people of Northern Uganda settle down with all their cattle, which had been affected by Karamojong cattle rustling from neighboring districts such as Abim, Otuke, and Alebtong.
Northern Uganda has been settled for more than three years since Maj Gen. Keith Katungi was posted. In Lango, no one has lost animals to Karamojong cattle rustlers, apart from the local thieves that are normally present in our community, who sometimes pretend to be Karamojong cattle rustlers.
When contacted, Maj Gen. Katungi also expressed gratitude for the cooperation between the security forces and the local community.
He stated that Northern Uganda is settled because the community is collaborating with his soldiers—what he calls building strong inter-personal networks.
Katungi pledged to continue working together to ensure lasting peace in the North.
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