Brig. Gen. Michael Kabango has today assumed office as the UPDF’s new 4th Division Commander manning West Nile and West Acholi districts.
Brig Kavango who has been Head of the Planning and Operation Unit-Peace Support Operations Division in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia replaces Brig Gen Bonny Bamwiseki who heads to South Sudan in a diplomatic role according to a recent reshuffle by the Commander in Chief, Gen Museveni last week.
He previously commanded the 5th Division, Acol Pii in the Pader district, Northern Uganda.
During the handover, the Deputy Chief of Defense Forces, Gen Peter Elwelu commended Brig Bamwiseki, the outgoing commander for the army-civilian relationship he has built for the last past four years as the commander of the division and called upon the Kabango to emulate him and do even much better.
“Congratulations Bonny! You have been here for more than four years. That is too much but that one shows that you managed to work well with the civilian community,” Gen Elwelu said, before adding; “General Kabango has been here, he knows everything, there is no question about that. He comes to fit in. So, I pray to the political leaders, police, prison, and civilians to help him serve our people.”
Elwelu noted the appointment of Bamwiseki as the defence attache is due to the great relation and connection he has built with their counterpart in the South Sudanese armies and because UPDF is the peace guarantor in South Sudan, his role will play a significant benefit regarding the interest they have in south Sudan.
Gen Kabango said he will run an open-door policy by availing various platforms of communication to close the communication gaps that may encourage mistrust and disbelief by the civilian community on the service of the army in the area under his command.
“It’s not the first time, I have been here since 1986 to 1990s and so it is nice to be back. You have done well and we must keep it. I will try as possible to be close to the political leaders, civilians, and sister security and we move together to fulfil our mandate. I run an open-door policy and anybody can call my phone anytime,” Kabango said.
Bamwiseki, who was being referred to as “Man of Love” for his consistent Biblical gospel of love for one another, attributed his successful tenure as the Commander 4th Division to the effective relationship with the civilian population and putting God at the centre of it all.
Bamwiseki will be replacing Brig Gen Richard Otto as the new defence attaché in Juba meanwhile Otto has been elevated to serve as envoy in IGAD to broker peace in South Sudan.
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