The UPDF Mountain Division commander Maj Gen Dick Olum has urged commanders and staff officers in his division to be exemplary in their areas of deployment in order to leave a legacy that will stand the test of time.
In his remarks, delivered by his deputy Brig Gen Stephen Mugerwa at the handover/takeover ceremony of the office of the UPDF mountain division operations and training officer (DOTO), Maj Gen Olum said the ball was in the individual officer’s court to build a good legacy or a bad one. ‘Discipline is very key in building a good legacy, un disciplined officers can not build a legacy worth talking about.’
Gen Olum thanked the outgoing DOTO Col Rogers Okiror for steering the office for the last two years, including 14 months of operation Shujja where the office of the DOTO is very critical. ‘We thank you for the work you have been able to do, especially during operation Shujja, your colleague has a firm ground to start from.’
He further urged the officers to always be ready to serve anywhere at any time. “The authority that deploys is the same authority that re-deploys one elsewhere. However, with discipline one can thrive anywhere,” he concluded.
The outgoing Col Okiror thanked the division commander and all the staff in the Division for the support rendered to him during his tour of duty. He pledged cooperation with the incoming despite his physical absence from the mountain division area of responsibility. “Don’t hesitate to call me in case you need clarification on any matter,” he said. He also urged him to continue with training of the soldiers in order to get the best out of them.
The incoming DOTO Col Felix Nyero thanked the army leadership for entrusting him with the office and pledged to perform to the expectations of the appointing authority. He called for cooperation from all departments.
The Mountain Division takes security responsibility of the ten districts of Rwenzori region including; Fort Portal City, Kabarole, Bundibugyo, Bunyangabo, Kasese, Kyegegwa, Kitagwenda, Kyenjojo, Ntoroko and Kamwenge.
The Division is also responsible for the ongoing successful military onslaught by UPDF against the ADF rebels. The joint UPDF/ FARDC operation code named ‘Operation Shujja’ against ADF has seen a number of rebels surrender and abductees rescued.
