Ambassador Francis Nkuusa, the principal mobiliser of the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) in the Diaspora, has commended Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, for appointing Col Deo Asiimwe Akiiki as the country’s new Military Attaché and Defence Advisor to Washington, D.C.
Nkuusa who is among the initiators of promoting Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba as Uganda’s next president and a staunch NRM mobiliser in North America who years ago embarked on efforts to clean the image of Uganda, says Col Akiiki is a hardworking officer, well-educated and patriotic and his appointment is great transformation for Uganda’s Military Diplomacy.
Nkuusa and his group in the diaspora who have over the years acted as an avenue for the transfer of new skills and knowledge and are promoters of foreign direct investment, trade and the transfer of technology also commended Gen Muhoozi for being visionary.
Akiiki’s elevation marks a significant shift from his long-standing role as a military communications officer to high-stakes defence diplomacy. For over two decades, he has been a familiar face in uniform, serving as deputy army spokesperson and shaping the narrative around key operations—from northern Uganda campaigns against the LRA to missions in Somalia and eastern DRC. His steady presence in crisis communication built credibility within the ranks and visibility in the public eye.
His proximity to power, however, has been most pronounced in recent months. In 2025, he was appointed personal Military Assistant to Gen Muhoozi, placing him at the core of operational and strategic decision-making. His transfer to Washington, barely a year later, signals a deliberate move to extend that inner circle influence beyond Uganda’s borders.
Military attachés in Washington are far from ceremonial figures. They serve as critical conduits for intelligence cooperation, joint training programmes, and defence negotiations.
Deploying a loyal and trusted officer to Washington could serve as a stabilising bridge , ensuring message discipline and direct alignment with the CDF’s strategic posture.
Who is Col Deo Akiiki?
Col Deo Asiimwe Akiiki is a senior officer in the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) with over 20 years of service, largely built in military communication and public affairs.
He rose through the ranks as a professional media handler, serving as Deputy Director of Defence Public Information and long-time deputy army spokesperson. In that role, he became one of the army’s most consistent public voices, handling sensitive briefings on counter-insurgency operations, regional deployments, and national security developments.
Akiiki has been closely associated with shaping the UPDF’s public image during complex operations, including missions under AMISOM in Somalia and engagements in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
In 2025, his career took a decisive turn when he was appointed personal Military Assistant to Muhoozi Kainerugaba—a position that placed him within the CDF’s inner decision-making circle. The role significantly elevated his influence and visibility within the military establishment.
His latest appointment to Washington marks his first major diplomatic posting, transitioning from military communications to frontline defence diplomacy .
