The former Chief of Joint Staff Maj Gen Leopold Kyanda has handed over office to Maj Gen Jack Bakasumba.
Officiating at the handover, The CDF and also the Special Presidential Advisor in charge of Special Operations (SPA/SO), General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, noted that the tour of duty is for everyone to heighten operational efficiency.
“These offices are not permanent and they are for everyone to pass through when building a professional force. Tour of duty is for everyone,” Gen Muhoozi reminded troops.
He urged troops to maintain the spirit of togetherness, brotherhood, and sisterhood and to continue building the UPDF that is loved and cherished by all.
He also expressed gratitude to the appointing authority and Commander in Chief of the UPDF H.E Gen Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for selecting the right people to occupy the aforementioned offices.
General Muhoozi cautioned the new office bearers to make a bigger impact at their new stations.
“Do the best you can with the knowledge and perspective you have to leave an indelible and positive impact on the force,” General Kainerugaba told Service commanders, Chiefs, Generals and Senior Officers.
The Outgoing Chief of Joint Staff Maj Gen Leopold Kyanda applauded the privilege he had working with MODVA, adding that UPDF is now transitioning to the new establishment.
Maj Gen Kyanda noted that during his reign, MODVA/UPDF had achieved the following: Established UPDF Act 2021, opened the National Defence College -Uganda, a number of Engineering projects had taken root-most, especially in education and health, Special Infantry Basic Course for Somali Nationals was started at Camp Rufu and there has been timely handling of documents in his office.
However, he, pronounced the need for the establishment of a service doctrine, budget rationalization, decentralization of services, and engaging the force in income-generating activities, among others; to enable the force to meet its constitutional mandate of protecting Uganda’s territorial integrity.
The Outgoing CJS cautioned his successor to uphold onto the notion of improving a soldier’s welfare as priority number one.
He noted that whatever Command and control method he executed during his reign was for the good of UPDF soldiers.
Maj Gen Jack Bakasumba the Incoming CJS, in his acceptance speech, appealed for support to fulfil the forces’ desired intent.
“l reaffirm my commitment to serve to the expectations of the mighty UPDF,” he alluded.
He promised to fight against indiscipline and pledged zero tolerance for corruption as guided by the building of a strong force based on ideological clarity.
The ceremony was also attended by the MODVA Under Secretary in Charge of Finance & Administration Mrs. Edith Buturo, Under Secretary of Logistics Mr Ngabirano Francis Kahiriita and Under Secretary UPDF – Air Force Mr. James Mutabazi.
Others were: General Officer Commanding Reserve Force Lt Gen Charles Otema Awanyi, Managing Director NEC Lt Gen James Mugira and Commander Special Forces Command Maj Gen David Mugisha, among other Generals and Senior Officers.
