By Albert Tibweba
ENTEBBE. Maj Gen James Birungi has urged Special Forces Command (SFC) officers to work closely with him to so as to fulfill their mandate.
This was during a ceremony where outgoing SFC commander Maj Gen Don Nabasa handed over office to the new commander. The ceremony was held the Marine Battalion headquarters, Entebbe.
SFC, the elite force of the UPDF is charged with among other duties, protecting the president and special government installations in the country.
Maj Gen Birungi thanked the president for entrusting him with the responsibility as SFC commander, adding that he expects all officers to work together to implement their mandate.
The handover ceremony was presided over by Senior Presidential Advisor for Special Operations Lt Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba.
The function was also attended by the Commander Land Forces, Lt Gen Peter Elwelu, Deputy IGP Maj Gen Muzeyi Sabiiti, Deputy Commander Airforces, Maj Gen Gavas Mugyenyi, Deputy Commander of SFC, Col Peter Candia and the Director of Administration SFC, Col. Felix Busizoori among senior SFC officers.
Gen Kainerugaba, in his remarks, thanked Maj Gen Nabasa for a job well done especially in the area of infrastructural development. He wished him well in his scheduled Defense and Strategic course.
To the incoming Commander, he asked him to focus more on skilled training especially in the area of para-trooping.
Maj Gen Nabasa in his speech highlighted some achievements registered during his time in office including; bridging the officers’ accommodation gaps by constructing and renovating a host of housing units, conducting skilled and specialized training for troops.
He also noted that during his tenure, Dr. Ronald Bata memorial Hospital was built on top of expanding and equipping it with the state of the art equipment. This hospital caters for the militants, their families and the civilian communities around Lunyo Barracks in Entebbe.
“I cannot thank my president enough. I am honored to work as commander special forces since the time it was PPU, I made 20 years last month; in PPU, PGB, and now Special Forces Command. I joined here as a 2nd Lieutenant, I am now a Major General,” said the outgoing commander.
Meanwhile, the incoming SFC commander thanked Gen Kainerugaba for the support he has rendered to him and other officers, adding that several officers have excelled in their careers as a result of Gen Kainerugaba's mentorship.
