Ronnie Balya
Ronnie Balya (born 1961) is a Ugandan military officer currently serving at the rank of Brigadier in the Uganda People's Defence Force (UPDF). He served as Uganda's ambassador to South Sudan, based in Juba, from 2017 until 2020. Before that, from 2010 until 2017, he was the Director General of the Internal Security Organisation (ISO). Background and education. Balya was born 1961 in Kabarole District in Toro sub-region, in the Western Region of Uganda. He studied at Makerere University, graduating with a Bachelor of Social Sciences degree. He continued with his studies at University of  Nairobi where he earned a Master of Arts degree in Diplomacy and International Studies. He was selected by the Commander in Chief to attend a Strategic Command and Leadership Course at the National Defence College, Kenya, in Nairobi. He has also studied in various intelligence courses in Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States. Military career. He joined the National Resistance Army in 1985. He served initially as a district internal security officer in Northern Uganda and Western Uganda. In 1997, Balya was moved to headquarters where he served in various capacities like director of the ISO inspectorate, director  analysis and director technical intelligence. In August 2006, Balya was appointed deputy director general of ISO. On 27 July 2010, Balya was appointed director general of ISO, replacing Amos Mukumbi who was given another engagement in government. In December 2010, he was promoted to the rank of Colonel. In February 2014, he was promoted to the rank of Brigadier. Other responsibilities. In addition to his duties at ISO, he served as the chair of the Joint Intelligence Committee which brings together all the Intelligence agencies. He was also the secretary to the National Security Council, which is chaired by the  President and composed of Ministers and Security Chiefs that handle National Defence and Security matters. In July 2016, he told the Ugandan Cabinet during a retreat in Kyankwanzi District that "corruption is killing government".