Maj Gen Don William Nabasa has assumed office as the 3rd Division Commander of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF), taking over from Brig Gen Joseph Balikudembe.
The office change was presided over by the Chief of Defence Forces, Gen Wilson Mbasu Mbadi, at Moroto Army Barracks. In his remarks, Gen Mbadi, congratulated Maj Gen Nabasa for being appointed by President Yoweri Museveni who is also the Commander In Chief of armed forces.
“Gen Nabasa you have come to add a positive effort in consolidating the gains attained in pacifying Karamoja Sub-region. In achieving the end state, a multi-sectoral approach and integrated plan has to be embraced by all key players and partners,” Gen Mbadi said according to a statement issued by Maj Isaac Oware.
Mbadi also congratulated Brig Gen Joseph Balikudembe for being selected to attend a strategic course at the highest military training institution, the National Defence College-Uganda (NDC-U). “You will be a strategic thinker and analyst since the course gives extra lens on national, international and development aspects,” the CDF said.
Call GEEPAS for genuine electronics: 0707080087. Mbadi asked the leaders, Ministry, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and partners to embrace and actively be involved in the implementation of activities as enshrined in the Karamoja Integrated Disarmament Development Plan (KIDDP).
The CDF explained that the KIDDP approach must be revamped and fast-tracked to march the pace of UPDF to pacify Karamoja Sub-region to achieve the desired end state. Karamoja is infected with cattle rustling that has claimed lives of both civilians and security forces. So far, the military and police have killed more than 600 warriors and arrested over 20000.
Mbadi further noted that the region needs total peace and security are pre-requisite in creating conducive conditions for socio-economic transformation and development. Mbadi appealed to regional leaders, the elite class, influencer groups and elders to mobilize and to be at the forefront of mindset and behavioural change for misled youths, Karachunas and cattle rustlers as a target audience in the realization of another source of livelihood as opposed to illegal use of guns.
Maj Gen Nabasa thanked the UPDF leadership and appointing authority for entrusting him to execute the command, control, coordination and administration of the 3 Infantry Division. He promised to work hard with all key stakeholders and maintain continuity to achieve the tasks and mission at hand.
Brig Gen Joseph Balikudembe, the outgoing Division Commander thanked God for bringing him this far to date. He expressed sincere gratitude to H.E. the President and Commander-in-Chief of the UPDF for allowing him to serve as a Division commander for three and half years.
The Resident District Commissioner for Kotido, Ambrose Onoria, thanked the UPDF leadership for considering and honouring the regional leaders’ request of deploying additional UPDF troops which will be helpful in curbing cattle thefts in the non-raiding community of Abim and Karenga districts.