benon biraaro joined the ugandan bush war on 7 june 1982, straight out of makerere university. by 1984, he had risen to the position of secretary to the high command and national resistance council. by 1986, he was the deputy to yoweri museveni’s principal private secretary. he was then posted to kitgum district, as the special district administrator from 1986 until 1987. he then was transferred to kyankwanzi and served as deputy commandant of the national leadership institute. next, he served as the commanding officer of the 97th battalion in uganda's eastern region, which ended the insurgency in the teso sub-region and in tororo and busia districts. following that, he served as the commander of the military police in uganda. he was then appointed the military representative in the office of the inspector general of government. he then served as a member of the adhoc committee on human rights under the chairmanship of abu mayanja. he then became the director of training in the updf.