Sixty-two officers of the Special Forces Command (SFC) have been decorated following their promotion to new ranks, with commanders urging them to match their increased authority with greater accountability and professionalism.
The officers, comprising 15 senior and 47 junior officers, received their decorations during a ceremony at SFC Headquarters in Entebbe presided over by SFC Commander Maj Gen Asaph Mweteise Nyakikuru.
Congratulating the officers, Maj Gen Nyakikuru said their promotions came with increased responsibility, accountability and expectations.
He urged them to lead by example, maintain discipline and professionalism, mentor junior personnel and continuously develop their knowledge and skills to meet the demands of modern military operations.
The commander also challenged the officers to use their new responsibilities to improve operational readiness, training, physical fitness and professional competence while strengthening cohesion within their respective formations.
SFC Deputy Commander Brig Gen John Bosco Asinguza urged the promoted officers to exercise their authority with courage, humility, justice and restraint.
“Your strength will matter a lot, but most importantly, your character upon the rise in the ranks will matter even more,” Asinguza said.
He said increased authority must be accompanied by greater accountability, while recognising the contribution of the officers’ spouses and families to their service.
Speaking on behalf of the decorated officers, Lt Col Nicholas Kagaba, Commander of the 17th Field Engineers Brigade, thanked the UPDF leadership for recognising their service and pledged their continued commitment to serving Uganda with loyalty, integrity, discipline and courage.
Kagaba urged the officers to use their new positions to develop themselves, mentor personnel under their command and contribute to strengthening the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF).
The ceremony was attended by the Director of Human Resource Management, Col Night Ikiriza, who read the citations, as well as SFC group and brigade commanders and their deputies, directors, officers, non-commissioned officers and spouses.