Major General Francis Takirwa, the Deputy Commander of the Land Force, has urged officers and personnel of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) to adopt financial discipline and prioritise saving for their retirement. He warned against reckless spending and encouraged them to consider their futures.
Maj Gen Takirwa made this appeal during the handover ceremony for the Commander of the 1 Infantry Division at the Division headquarters in Kakiri, Wakiso district, where Brigadier General Joseph Ssemwanga passed the baton to Brigadier General Steven Mugerwa.
He advised the incoming Division commander, Brig Gen Mugerwa, to lead by example to achieve the best results from his team.
Wishing Brig Gen Ssemwanga success in his new deployment in Somalia, Maj Gen Takirwa also stressed the importance of ensuring civilian safety, stating, “Our strategic weapon is cooperation with civilians.”
Brigadier Steven Mugerwa, previously the Deputy Division Commander for the 2 Infantry Division, reassured soldiers of his familiarity with the UPDF and the terrain. He expressed gratitude for the warm reception and pledged to work collaboratively with everyone in the division for smooth operations.
Outgoing Division Commander Brigadier Joseph Ssemwanga highlighted the need for teamwork, encouraging both the new commander and existing staff to support each other for a seamless transition.
The ceremony was attended by senior and junior officers of the UPDF, Uganda Police Force representatives, and prominent members of the civilian community, including RDCs, headteachers, and the village chairman.
