Ugandan president removes army chief, shuffles his cabinet in aftermath of row over succession

KAMPALA, Uganda – Uganda's president has removed his top military commander and put him in a civilian role in a shuffle apparently prompted by an ongoing row over a rumored plan for President Yoweri Museveni to have his son succeed him.

In changes announced Friday, army chief Gen. Aronda Nyakairima becomes the minister of internal affairs. Some other government officials were also moved around.

Nyakairima was one of the officials cited in a letter by an army general urging an investigation of reports that officials opposed to the rise of Museveni's son could be assassinated. Nyakairima dismissed the letter, saying it was full of propaganda.

Karoro Okurut, a spokeswoman for the government, has said the letter and surrounding dispute are "a matter of national security."