Brig. Gen. Joseph Balikudembe yesterday handed over office instruments of power to Brig. Gen. Don Nabasa, the new commander of the 3rd Division of the UPDF.
Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Wilson Mbasu Mbadi presiding over the handover that took place at the division headquarters in Moroto district.
The handover follows recent announcement of changes in military command.
Taken for strategic course at National Defence College-Uganda, Gen Balikudembe has been at the helm of the Division covering the greater Eastern Uganda since 2019.
He is among a few Generals and senior officers recently nominated and announced by the UPDF strategic leadership to undertake the prestigious course – National Defence College, Uganda (NDC-U) for the second intake.
District officials from the region who attended the handover lauded the UPDF under the command of Gen Balikudembe the tremendous work job of peace keeping.
“I convey appreciation from the people of Kumi for your deployment in Tisai Island which has helped in curbing cattle rustling by suspected Karimajongs,” said Washaki.
On his part, the CDF hailed the local leader’s support to UPDF as they join police to stamp out cattle rustling in the region.
In his tenure as Division Commander and the chairperson of disarmament committee, Gen Balikuddembe is credited for overall command, control and coordination in the conduct of disarmament operations making significant strides with 1,128 and 11,177 guns and ammunition recovered respectively since 2019.
The third division fraternity states that he will always be remembered for overseeing one of the most recent (April 2023) bloodless operations against the Turkana armed pastoralists where the joint security forces recovered 31 guns at Lokiriaut village, Nadunget Subcouty in Moroto District.
