New AMISOM commander named

Jun 16, 2011

THE commander of the UPDF’s field artillery division, Fred Mugisha, has been promoted to the rank of major general and appointed overall commander of the AU peacekeeping mission in Somalia (AMISOM). commander named

By RAYMOND BAGUMA

THE commander of the UPDF’s field artillery division, Fred Mugisha, has been promoted to the rank of major general and appointed overall commander of the AU peacekeeping mission in Somalia (AMISOM).

Mugisha was decorated on Tuesday by the Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Aronda Nyakairima, during a function at the senior officers’ mess on John Babiiha Avenue in Kololo, a Kampala suburb.

He takes over from, Maj. Gen Nathan Mugisha, who now becomes the deputy ambassador to Somalia and will remain in Mogadishu, according to Nyakairima.

Michael Ondoga, who has been the commander of the Ugandan contingent has been promoted to the rank of brigadier and sent for further studies in the United States. He handed over to Col. Paul Lokech.

Mugisha was trained in artillery and air defence in the former Soviet Union between 1987 and 1989. He has previously served under various capacities, including being the deputy chief of intelligence.

Mugisha thanked the commander-in-chief, President Yoweri Museveni, for the promotion and the new assignment.
Mugisha said: “I cannot claim to have enough knowledge or experience to stabilise the region. But I will seek advice from my equals, subordinates and my commanders.”

Present at the function were several UPDF top officers, who included the head of intelligence services, Brig. James Mugira, the commander land forces, Lt. Gen. Katumba Wamala, and the commandant of the Air force Training School, Maj. Gen. Joshua Masaba.

Nyakairima said AMISOM has made progress in pacifying Somalia.

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