The Chief of Defence Forces, Gen Wilson Mbasu Mbadi, has thanked the outgoing Commander of Uganda Peoples Defense Air Force (UPDF-AF), Lt Gen Charles Lutaaya, for being a selfless, loyal and dedicated officer. 

Addressing the guests at the handover/takeover ceremony, on Thursday, November 10, 2022, as Lt. Gen. Lutaaya handed over office command and control, Gen. Mbadi congratulated and urged Lt Gen Lutaya’s successor, Lt Gen Charles Okidi to make the Airforce better than what he has taken over.

“Enhance capacity through training but also work as a team because it is the only way you can achieve more,” Gen Mbadi said. 

The ceremony was held at the Airforce headquarters in Entebbe.

The outgoing Commander Lt Gen Lutaaya highlighted some of the achievements registered during his tenure of office.

They included constructing and renovating a host of housing units to cater for the force's accommodation by 2023, training of the force, which has enhanced capacity building, repairing aircrafts among other achievements.

He thanked the Commander in Chief and the entire UPDF leadership for giving him the opportunity to serve under the Airforce for over 6years.

He wished the incoming commander who was hitherto his Deputy the best of luck. 

In his acceptance speech, the incoming Commander Lt Gen Okidi thanked His Excellence President Yoweri Museveni who is also the Commander in Chief of the Uganda Peoples Defence Forces (UPDF) for appointing him.

He pledged teamwork and accountability. "If you want to go fast, go alone, if you want to go far go with others. We can only achieve more through teamwork," Lt Gen Okidi said. 

He then handed over office of Deputy Commander to Brig Gen Kiggundu who had also just been promoted and appointed into the office of Deputy Commander Air force. 

The handover/take over ceremony was attended by the UPDF Joint Chief of Staff Maj Gen Leopold Kyanda, the Chief of Logistics and Engneering Brig Gen Charles Bakahumura, the Chief of Personnel and Administration Brig Sebugwawo, among others. 

On Monday, Museveni appointed Lt Gen Lutaaya senior presidential advisor on matters of Air Forces, promoted Maj Gen Okidi to Lt Gen and appointed him Commander Air Forces, while Lt Col Stephen Kiggundu was promoted to Brig Gen and appointed Deputy Command Air Forces.