Brig Gen. Peter Candia, the commander of the Special Forces Command (SFC), handed over office to his deputy, Brig Gen. Felix Busizoori, at the unit’s headquarters in Entebbe on Wednesday.

The Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), Gen. Wilson Mbadi, presided over the function.

Former Commandant SFC Brig. Gen. Peter Chandia (L) handing over the SFC flag to the New Commandant SFC Brig. Gen. Felix Busizoori (R) in the presence of Commander Defense Force Gen. Wilson Mbadi Mbasu (center) during the SFC command hand-over ceremony. Photos by PPU

Candia is among the Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) senior officers who will be attending a one-year training at the newly established National Defence College - the first of its kind - in Jinja district.

Other attending the pioneer intake training include Col. Edith Nakalema, the State House Anti-Corruption Unit head, and defence ministry spokesperson Brig. Flavia Byekwaso, who already handed over to her deputy Lt. Col. Ronald Kakurungu.

Brig Candia was appointed acting SFC commander in June last year, replacing Lt Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who was appointed the Commander of Land Forces.

In December last year, Maj. Gen. Leopold Kyanda, the UPDF Joint Chief of Staff, paid a courtesy call to the National Defence College in Jinja and commended the commandant of the institution, Maj Gen Francis Okello, for a job well done.  

The college was initially the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) camp for senior staff working on the new Nile Bridge, before being taken over by the army and refurbished.

Plans to establish the National Defence College started in 2013, which led to the creation of four task forces to oversee its establishment. 

Okello, who leads the facility, said that the college will serve as a think tank for the government and will attract participants at the level of one-star general, senior officers at the rank of colonel, and civilians.