Dick Olum

Major General

Dick Olum
Birth nameRichard Prit Olum
Born1970 (age 53–54)[1]
Zombo, Uganda
Allegiance Uganda
Service/branch Ugandan Land Forces
Years of service1990–present
RankMajor General

Major General Richard Prit Olum, commonly known as Dick Olum, is a military officer in the Uganda People's Defence Force (UPDF). Effective 13 May 2024, he serves as commander of the "South Sudan Stabilization Mechanism", an observer force to ensure adherence to the peace agreements.[2] Before that, he served as the Ugandan commander of the UPDF forces in the Democratic Republic of the Congo under the joint Uganda/DRC mission code named Operation Shujaa. He simultaneously served as the commander of the UPDF Mountain Division, based in Fort Portal, Kabarole District at the base of the Rwenzori Mountains. His appointment was made on 12 October 2022.[3][4]

Before that, from October 2017 until October 2022, he was Uganda's military attaché at the Ugandan embassy in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, based in Kinshasa.[5][6]

Immediately prior to that assignment, from April 2015 until October 2017, he was the commanding officer of the third army division of the UPDF, based in Moroto.[7] Before that, he served as the commander of the UPDF contingent in Somalia as part of the African Union Mission to Somalia (AMISOM). He was appointed to that position in June 2013.[8] He took his position in Mogadishu Somalia, in September 2013.[9] His mission to Somalia ended in November 2014 when he was replaced by Sam Kavuma.[10]

  1. ^ Johnson, Scott (18 April 2012). "The Hunt for Kony". Newsweek. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
  2. ^ Daily Monitor (13 May 2024). "Museveni appoints Otto new commander operation Shuuja". Daily Monitor. Kampala, Uganda. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
  3. ^ Kenneth Kazibwe (12 October 2022). "Maj Gen Dick Olum appointed new Operation Shuja, UPDF Mountain Division commander". NilePost Uganda. Kampala, Uganda. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
  4. ^ Benson Tumusiime (13 October 2022). "Gen Olum replaces Kayanja". Daily Monitor. Kampala, Uganda. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
  5. ^ Monitor Reporter (10 October 2017). "Brigadier Dick Olum sent to DR Congo in mini army reshuffle". Daily Monitor. Kampala. Retrieved 23 October 2017.
  6. ^ Pascal Kwesiga (10 October 2017). "Major General Olum replaces deceased Taban in DRC". New Vision. Kampala, Uganda. Retrieved 23 October 2017.
  7. ^ Ariong, Steven (15 April 2015). "Water Shortage Hinders UPDF Operations". Daily Monitor. Kampala. Retrieved 6 May 2015.
  8. ^ Risdel Kasasira, and Richard Wanambwa (1 July 2013). "Olum Named New Amisom Commander". Daily Monitor. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
  9. ^ Newvision, Reporter (25 September 2013). "Brigadier Dick Olum New UPDF Boss In Somalia". New Vision. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
  10. ^ Kafeero, Stephen (10 November 2014). ""Alshaabab Has Been Decimated" Says Brigadier Dick Olum". New Vision. Kampala. Retrieved 6 May 2015.