KAMPALA, UGANDA: President Yoweri Museveni who is also the commander-in-chief of the armed forces has made changes and transfers in the UPDF, with up to 35 officers given fresh appointments in the army’s top leadership.
In a Wednesday statement issued by deputy army spokesperson Col Deo Akiiki, Maj Gen Francis Takirwa has been appointed as the acting deputy commander of the land forces, among the changes made.
Gen Takirwa comes in to fill the void left by then deputy commander Lt Gen Sam Okiding who was last month appointed as the new overall commander of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS).
He will now deputize Maj Gen Muhanga Kanyanja who replaced Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba as Land Forces Commander in October this year.
Since 2019, he has been the Commander of the UPDF’s Second Division in Makenke, Mbarara, a position that has now been assigned to Bob Okigi, after the latter earning his promotion from Brigadier General to Major General.
In other appointments, the president also appointed Maj Gen Jack Bakasumba as the acting chief of staff land forces in the UPDF, leaving his current position of Uganda’s delegate to the South Sudan Peace Monitoring Mechanism
Below is the full list;
- 1. Maj Gen Hudson Mukasa appointed Deputy General Officer Commanding – Reserve Forces
- 2. Maj Gen George Igumba appointed Commandant Senior Command and Staff College – Kimaka
- 3. Maj Gen Lucky J Kidega appointed Camp Commandant
- 4. Brig Gen Geoffrey Kaweesa Kigozi appointed Deputy Chief of Personnel and Administration
- 5. Brig Gen Hassan Kimbowa appointed Adjutant – General Headquarters
- 6. Brig Gen Ssenkumba Eugene Ssebugwawo appointed Chief of Personnel and Administration
- 7. Brig Gen Godwin Karugaba appointed Deputy Chief of Logistics and Engineering
- 8. Brig Gen Mwanje Ssekiranda appointed Chief of Staff – Reserve Forces
- 9. Brig Gen Ronald Solomon Bigirwa appointed Defence Advisor -Tanzania
- 10. Brig Gen Stephen Tumwesigye Kashure appointed Chief of Staff – Uganda Rapid Deployment Capability Centre
- 11. Brig Gen Simon Nicholas Ocan appointed Defence Advisor -Burundi
- 12. Brig Gen Metland K Bitumbika appointed General Manager –Defence Forces Shop Uganda Ltd
- 13. Brig Gen Augustine Kamyuka Kyazze appointed Commandant –Defence General Deport
- 14. Brig Gen Francis Chemengich Chemo appointed Defence Advisor – Somalia
- 15. Brig Gen Julius Bagonza appointed Director Personnel and Administration – Air Forces
- 16. Col Justus Besisira appointed Director – Recruitment
- 17. Col Fred Zakye appointed Defence Advisor – Ethiopia
- 18. Col Daniel Erasmus Omoding appointed Defence Advisor -Belgium-Brussels
- 19. Col James Kato Kalyebara appointed Commander Royal Guards
- 20. Col Herbert Kyabihende Makanga appointed Deputy Chief Inspector General of Military Equipment
- 21. Col David Tweheyo appointed College Secretary – National Defence College Uganda
- 22. Col Peter Buyungo appointed Defence Advisor – USA
- 23. Col Silver Changa Muhwezi appointed Deputy Commandant Senior Command and Staff College – Kimaka
- 24. Col Emmanuel David Muhanguzi appointed Acting Chief of Policy and Plans
- 25. Col Simon Peter Oyoo appointed Defence Advisor – India
- 26. Col Allan Matsiko appointed a Director in SFC
- 27. Col Nicholas Nyesiga appointed Director of Personnel
- 28. Col Deogratias Asiimwe Akiiki appointed Deputy Defence Spokesperson
- 29. Col AG. Chris Sseruyange Ddamulira appointed Defence Advisor – Saudi Arabia
- 30. Lt Col Samson Henry Nabeeta appointed Director Estates
- 31. Lt Col Ronald Kagyenyi appointed Director Inspectorate
- 32. Lt Col Moses Wilson Ssentongo appointed Director of Music
- 33. Lt Col Duncan R Kafeero appointed a Deputy Director in SFC
- 34. Lt Col Ronald Kungu Kakurungu appointed Deputy Director of Strategic Communications
- 35. Lt Col Betty Musuya Wanyera appointed Director Women Affairs
“The Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs and the UPDF fraternity congratulate the general officers upon their well-deserved promotions and appointments,” Col Deo Akiiki said.
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