The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) has conducted command handovers at two brigades under the 3 Infantry Division. At the 1 Usalama Brigade, Col. Charles Mukasa Kayemba officially took over command from Col. Adnan Kaale Seiko, who had been serving as caretaker commander.
The handover ceremony was presided over by the 3rd Infantry Division Commander, Maj. Gen. Wilberforce Sserunkuma Karate, who commended Col. Seiko for maintaining the brigade’s operational readiness during his tenure.
Maj. Gen. Sserunkuma urged officers and soldiers to uphold discipline, cohesion and civil-military cooperation, describing them as essential to the UPDF’s constitutional mandate.
Col. Seiko said the security situation in Kapelebyong District and the wider Teso sub-region remains stable, providing a conducive environment for socio-economic development. He attributed the stability to strong cooperation between the UPDF, local leaders and communities, which has strengthened information sharing and joint efforts to maintain peace.
The incoming commander, Col. Kayemba, pledged to build on those achievements by strengthening civil-military relations and ensuring the brigade remains mission-ready. Meanwhile, at the 403 Brigade headquarters in Matany Town Council, Napak District, Lt. Col. William Achungwire assumed command from Lt. Col. M.S. Taika, who had also been serving as caretaker commander.
The ceremony was presided over by the Deputy Commander of the 3 Infantry Division, Col. Winston Mugarura, representing the Division Commander. Col. Mugarura commended Lt. Col. Taika for his service and wished Lt. Col. Achungwire success in his new assignment.
Lt. Col. Taika is expected to assume command of the 37 Battalion.In a related development, the Anti-Stock Theft Unit in the Mt. Moroto region held endurance runs for its personnel as part of efforts to improve operational readiness in the fight against cattle theft. The exercise involved a 12-kilometre run for male officers and a six-kilometre run for female officers and took place between 6:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m.
The activity was led by Mt. Moroto ASTU Commandant Francis Chemusto and aimed at promoting discipline, teamwork and physical fitness among personnel deployed in the region. ASTU has remained at the forefront of operations against cattle rustling across Karamoja following a recent resurgence in livestock raids.
Mt. Moroto Regional Police spokesperson Mike Longole said the fitness drills are essential in preparing officers for operations in the region. “We are operating in an area prone to rampant cattle theft, and our readiness to avert it is paramount. This exercise helps to keep our personnel fit and steady,” Longole said.
He added that more morale-boosting activities, including a commandant’s campfire, are planned at the Mt. Moroto Regional Police headquarters. Longole also urged residents not to be alarmed by the sight of large numbers of uniformed personnel running through communities. “Members of the community should not be alarmed by the presence of large numbers of ASTU personnel and runners.
This is a normal fitness activity,” he said. He explained that the exercises are part of routine training aimed at improving the unit’s operational capacity rather than an indication of an ongoing security operation. URN