Army decorates promoted officers

By Alfred Wasike

BRIGADIER Francis Okello, the new commander of the African Union force in Somalia, was decorated at the army headquarters in Bombo yesterday. He was promoted to Major General three days ago.

Okello was among 31 other senior officers promoted on February 9, who received their pips from the deputy Chief of Defence Forces, Lt Gen.Ivan Koreta, as the UPDF band played martial music. Okello, who was promoted to brigadier in 2005, was the chief political commissar and army MP.

A holder of a degree in geology and chemistry and a masters in defence acquisition management, Okello first joined the army in 1983. In addition, he has trained in the UK, the USA and Ghana and served in various capacities, one of them as the commander of Operation Safe Haven in Congo.

The other new Major General who received his pips was Andrew Gutti, who has been the acting commandant of the Senior Command & Staff College, Kimaka. After the promotion, he was confirmed commandant.

Koreta urged the army to respect the rights of civilians because promotions come with “responsibilities and accountability”.
He added: “Unlike in geography, in the army, the higher you go, the hotter it becomes.”

Koreta said as officers, they “must read, analyse and arrive at solutions” and had an “obligation to your army, country, region and continent.”