The outgoing Commander of Air Force, Lt Gen Charles Lutaaya, has handed over the office of Uganda Peoples’ Defence Force – Air Force (UPDF-AF) command and control to the incoming Commander, Lt Gen Charles Okidi, at a ceremony held Friday at Air Force headquarters, Entebbe.
Addressing the guests at the handover/takeover ceremony, the Chief of Defence Forces, Gen Wilson Mbasu Mbadi, thanked Lt Gen Lutaaya for being a selfless, loyal and dedicated officer.
He congratulated and urged Lt Gen Lutaaya’s successor, Lt Gen Charles Okidi, to make the Air Force better than what he has taken over.
“Enhance capacity through training but also work as a team because it is the only way you can achieve more,” Gen Mbadi cautioned the incoming commander.
The outgoing Commander Lt Gen Lutaaya highlighted some of the achievements registered during his tenure of office.
These included; constructing and renovating a host of housing units to cater for the force’s accommodation by 2023, training of the force which has enhanced capacity building, and repairing Aircraft, among other achievements.
He thanked the Commander-in-Chief and the entire UPDF leadership for giving him the opportunity to serve under the Air Force for over six years.
He wished the incoming commander, who was hitherto his deputy, the best of luck.
In his acceptance speech, the incoming commander Lt Gen Okidi thanked His Excellence the President and the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces for appointing him the Commander of the Air Force.
He pledged teamwork and accountability. “If you want to go fast, go alone, if you want to go far go with others. We can only achieve more through teamwork”, Lt Gen Okidi advised.
He then handed over the office of Deputy Commander to Brig Gen Kiggundu. He (Kiggundu), was recently promoted and appointed to the office of Deputy Air force Commander.
The handover/takeover ceremony was attended by the UPDF Joint Chief of Staff, Maj Gen Leopold Kyanda, the Chief of Logistics and Engineering, Brig Gen Charles Bakahumura, the Chief of Personnel and Administration, Brig Gen Sebugwawo, among others.
