The Deputy Commander of Special Force Command (SFC), Brig. Gen. Asaph Nyakikuru, has called on newly promoted army officers to redouble their efforts and commitment to service, emphasizing that the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) expects much from them.
“Promotion is an advancement to the next higher rank, marking a significant achievement in a service member’s career. It reflects commitment, hard work, and mastery of duty and leadership skills,” Brig. Gen. Nyakikuru remarked.
Speaking at the pipping and decoration ceremony for the newly promoted officers on August 9, at the 10 Marine Battalion Headquarters in Entebbe, Brig. Gen. Nyakikuru, who also commands Special Force Group 2 (2SFG), advised the officers not yet promoted to trust in God’s timing.
“In biblical terms, promotion is seen as a divine favor and a reward from God. He promotes when His timing is right, not ours,” he said.
Addressing the promoted officers, Brig. Gen. Nyakikuru emphasized the weight of responsibility that comes with their new ranks, urging them to rise to the occasion.
“Your subordinates will look to you as a source of wisdom. You’ll need to provide solutions to their problems and encourage them to take initiative and act responsibly,” he urged, congratulating them on their achievement.
Col. Wilson Bagonza, Commander of Special Force Group 3 (3SFG), also spoke at the event, expressing gratitude to the President and Commander-in-Chief of the UPDF for his visionary leadership, which has transformed the army into a formidable force admired regionally. “It is due to this stability that we can hold such functions today,” he noted.
Col. Bagonza also thanked the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, for revolutionizing army training, particularly by introducing special training that led to the creation of the commando unit within the SFC. He further acknowledged the continuous support for training from the Commander of SFC, Maj. Gen. David Mugisha.
The Director of Human Resource Management at SFC, Col. John Mango Baraza, presented a total of 104 officers from the Special Force Command for pipping and decoration. These officers had recently been promoted by the President of the Republic of Uganda and Commander-in-Chief of the UPDF.
The promotions included one Acting Colonel confirmed as Colonel, one Lt. Col. promoted to Colonel, one Lt. Col. confirmed, two Majors elevated to Lt. Colonel, nine Captains promoted to Major, seven Lieutenants promoted to Captain, and the probation period for 83 Second Lieutenants terminated, promoting them to the rank of Lieutenant.
Speaking on behalf of the promoted officers, Lt. Col. Elisabeth Agaba expressed gratitude to the Commander-in-Chief for the opportunity to serve in the UPDF. “We may not be the best from our communities, but we have been given the platform to perform our duties,” she said. Lt. Col. Agaba also extended thanks to the CDF and CSFC for their continued guidance and urged the newly promoted officers to remain disciplined, loyal, and above all, patriotic.
The ceremony was attended by Group Commanders, Brigade Commanders, Directors, Commanding Officers, Commandants, staff members of SFC, senior and junior officers, and the spouses of the newly promoted officers.
Post Views: 1,009
https://plusnews.ug/brig-gen-nyakikuru-urges-newly-promoted-updf-officers-to-double-commitment/
