Brig Gen Ssemwanga Assumes Office as UPDF 1st Infantry Division Commander

The Commander Land Forces, Lt Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, on August 8 presided over the handover/takeover of the UPDF 1st Infantry Division Commander at the Division Headquarters in Kakiri, Wakiso District.

This follows transfers made by His Excellency the President and Commander-in-Chief of the UPDF last week that saw Maj Gen Sam Kawagga transferred to Nairobi as a Defence Advisor and Brig Gen Joseph Ssemwanga appointed Commander 1st Division.

Speaking at the event, Lt Gen Muhoozi said these changes are part and parcel of tour of duty within the military and reminded officers that no one in the army should ever expect to be in a position forever.

“You come, you do your part and you hand over the baton to the next officer. This is a relay and we are not in a one hundred metres dash,” said Lt Gen Muhoozi.

The CLF congratulated Maj Gen Kawagga for having successfully completing his tour of duty in 1st Division adding that that his appointment as a UPDF representative in Kenya is a great opportunity for him to grow his career on the diplomacy scene.

In the same spirit, Lt Gen Muhoozi equally congratulated Brig Gen Ssemwanga for his elevation to the 1 Division Commander which he said is an important position.

“I have true confidence in him. I know he is capable and a very disciplined officer, hardworking and we have high hopes that he will do a good job as 1 Division Commander,” the CLF noted.

Speaking at the same function, Maj Gen Kawagga re-echoed that in any Government institution, there is tour of duty.

“I want to thank the UPDF leadership for having entrusted me with this responsibility. This is my third time to Command a Division,” Gen Kawagga said.

He reminded the officers that his work as a Commander was to prepare them so that they also become commanders.

“I was busy here preparing other people to take over from me,” said Maj Gen Kawagga.

Maj Gen Kawagga thanked the various Commanders who were under his command for the support they gave him during his time in office and urged them to render the same support to the incoming Commander.

In his remarks, the incoming 1 Division Commander, Brig Gen Joseph Ssemwanga, said that in Maj Gen Kawagga, he found a parent, commander, gentleman and a teacher who has always been readily available to mentor and offer guidance.

“Afande Kawagga, we shall forever be indebted to your meritorious service to this Division and the country,” said Brig Gen Ssemwanga.

The handover was attended by the RDC Wakiso District, Brigade and Battalion Commanders, Officers and men under the 1st Division.