Gen. Nabasa hands over office to Gen. Birungi

Outgoing Special Forces Command (SFC) boss, Maj. Gen. Don Nabasa on Wednesday handed over office to Maj. Gen. James Birungi.

The Lt Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the Senior Presidential Adviser for Special Operations, presided over the handover, which took place at the Marine Battalion headquarters in Entebbe.

In his acceptance speech, Birungi thanked President Yoweri Museveni for appointing him and pledged to work tirelessly in his new role.

After two years at the helm of SFC, Nabasa was on June 5 replaced by Birungi, the former chief of staff of the Uganda Airforce.

It was a single-member reshuffle.

According to officials from the Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF), no other changes within the chain of command or rank and file of SFC have been affected by the reshuffle.

"No other changes—and the appointment is full and takes immediate effect," Lt Col Deo Akiki, the deputy spokesperson of the UPDF, told New Vision shortly after the announcement.

In 2017, Nabasa replaced Muhoozi as the SFC boss, a position that puts one at the centre of command of the elite and specialised component of the UPDF, which is tasked with safeguarding the President, key installations in the country and execution of special missions for the Army.

The UPDF said Nabasa has been relieved of his duties to enable him to undertake further studies in China.

"There is a change of Command at SFC HQs from Maj Gen Don Nabasa to Maj Gen James Birungi. Gen Nabasa is to attend the Strategic Course at the National Defence College as part of UPDF professionalisation through training and adding more knowledge. Congrats to the two Generals," UPDF spokesperson, Brig. Richard Karemire, said shortly after the reshuffle.

SFC spokesperson, Maj. Jimmy Omara, said: "Maj. Gen. Don. Nabasa is going to attend the prestigious National Defence College in China. This is value addition to SFC as well as to the entire UPDF. The best thing the Army can get from an individual is to have him trained, if possible at all levels."

In 2012 Birungi replaced Brig. Moses Rwakitarate as the chief of staff Air forces.

In February this year, President Yoweri Museveni, who is also the Commander-in-Chief, promoted both Birungi and Nabasa to the rank of Major General.

Birungi joined the Army in 1996.