Integrity is key in the army - Karuhanga

By Ayiga Ondoga           

Integrity, discipline, loyality and diligent performance in the Uganda Peoples Defence Force (UPDF) is the trend of getting promotion, the overall commander, Uganda Reserve Forces, Maj. Gen Levi Karuhanga has said.

“In the military, it’s our utmost doctrine to thank officers and men in the army for their good work. So, it’s against this background that we are celebrating the promotion of our brother Brig. Dick Olum,” Karuhanga stated.

Maj. Gen Karuhanga, who represented the chief guest, UPDF Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), Gen Katumba Wamala echoed the sentiments during celebration of the promotion of  Brig. Dick Olum organized by his people at Rolling Star Hotel, Warr Town, Zombo district on Sunday.

The celebrations started with a thanksgiving mass which Karuhanga  described as a symbol of gratitude expressed by anyone before God for attainment of success in life, citing the book of Psalms where King David and his son Solomon oftenly paid tribute to God whenever they registered success especially in wars and when God’s temple was accomplished.

“Brig. Dick’s personality and character presents a classic example of an accomplished gentleman and officer with holistic broader mind. We in the UPDF are proud of him because of his integrity; he has never backslid or rescinded when it came to honesty, trustworthy and sense of duty,” Karuhanga stressed.

The celebrations attended by thousands of people was witnessed by state minister for energy Eng. Simon D’Ujanga, area MPs; Stanley Omwonya (Okoro) and Grace Kwiyicwiny (Woman), several UPDF officers and district officials.

Karuhanga described Brig. Olum as always being steadfast, duty conscious and charismatic whenever assigned tasks and in all his expeditions, he has been excellent performer and result oriented.

“Olum never forgets team work spirit and being quite focused and visionary in whatever he does. He puts Uganda first before himself,” Karuhanga said.

He thanked the parents for sending to the army a son “we are passionately proud of due to his discipline and loyality to our revolution.

“Brig. Olum is a highly trained officer in rank and file and on duty, he has been always an icon performer especially in combating global terrorisom in Central Africa Republic and now in Somalia where he is currently our contigent commander,” Karuhanga added.

Karuhanga reminded Brig. Olum: “in our line of service, an additional pip means additional responsibility. We expect a lot more from you as you climb the ladder and keep focused and steadfast. I’m confident you have what it takes to carry this seemingly light but heavy stone.”

Brig. Olum revealed his excenllent performance as an army officer was through his mentor, late Brig. Peter Kerim, who before his death told him to work deligently, be disciplined and command team work if he is to succeed in the army.

“I’ll take the mantle of the late Kerim because he told me to do so if am to succeed, that’s why in the volatile Somalia, I am a gallant soldier performing according to the rules and norms of the UPDF,” Olum stated.

Olum called on the various leaders in the district and West Nile in general to unite for development.