Internal Security Organisation
| ISO | |
| Agency overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 1986 |
| Jurisdiction | Government of Uganda |
| Headquarters | Nakasero, Kampala, Uganda |
| Agency executive | |
| Parent agency | Uganda People's Defence Force |
The Internal Security Organisation (ISO) is the Uganda government's counter intelligence agency responsible for providing national security intelligence to Uganda's policy makers.[2] It also engages in covert activities at the request of the President of Uganda. Founded in 1986, the organisation took over the duties first performed by Military Intelligence. Its headquarters are in Nakasero, Kampala.
History and function
ISO was established by an Act of Parliament, the Security Organisations Act 1987. Like all intelligence organisations, its main function is to ensure the stability and longevity of the state. 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.[3]
Director general
The first director general was Major General Jim Katugugu Muhwezi. He led ISO from 1986 until 1996. He is the longest serving spy chief at the organization to date. He recruited and trained Dr Amos Mukumbi and Brigadier Ronnie Balya, each of whom was later to serve as director general. Under the Director General (DG), are a number of directors who report directly to the DG. Others who have served as director generals at ISO include: Philip Idro, Lieutenant General Henry Tumukunde, Brigadier Elly Kayanja, Dr Amos Mukumbi, Brigadier Ronnie Balya, and Colonel Kaka Bagyenda. As of October 2020, the ISO Director General is Colonel Charles Oluka, effective 8 October 2020.[4][5]
Composition
ISO is composed of professional intelligence officers recruited from all over Uganda and trained at its training institute, the Institute of Intelligence and Security Studies. Upon being passed out, the operatives are sworn to protect Ugandans and their property and are deployed all over the country. They include PISO's, GISO's, DISO's and RISO's.[6]
See also
References
- ^ Yasiin Mugerwa (16 August 2016). "Corruption killing government - ISO". Daily Monitor. Kampala, Uganda. Retrieved 17 August 2016.
- ^ Semakula, John (8 July 2015). "ISO helping Police track down killers of Muslim sheikhs". New Vision. Kampala. Retrieved 17 August 2016.
- ^ Parliament of Uganda (13 November 1987). "Security Organisations Act 1987". Kampala: Uganda Legal Information Institute (ULII). Retrieved 17 August 2016.
- ^ New Vision (8 September 2020). "ISO Boss Replaced". New Vision. Kampala. Retrieved 10 October 2020.
- ^ Risdel Kasasira and Andrew Bagala (9 October 2020). "Why Museveni sacked ISO boss Kaka, deputy". Daily Monitor. Kampala. Retrieved 10 October 2020.
- ^ New Vision (12 December 2001). "ISO Top Ranks Shuffled". New Vision. Kampala. Retrieved 10 October 2020.
External links
- Museveni wants spy agencies overhauled
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