Maj Gen Dick Olum hands over UPDF Mountain Division command

Maj Gen Dick Olum has officially handed over command of the UPDF Mountain Division to Maj Gen Richard Otto.

Gen Otto was on last week appointed the new commander of the Mountain Division to replace Gen Olum who was sent to South Sudan on a special mission.

Speaking during the handover on Wednesday, the commander Land Forces, Lt Gen  Kayanja Muhanga, has commended Maj Gen Olum for the distinguished work in Operation Shujaa, which has enabled locals  to carry on with their economic and social activities in the areas where the joint forces are operating.

“I thank Gen Olum for the work well done. Tour of duty is a must in the army. We wish Maj Gen Dick luck in his new duty station,” said Lt Gen Muhanga .

He implored the leadership of the Rwenzori region to embrace the new leader and work with him to sustain the peace.

In his remarks, Maj Gen Olum thanked the Commander-in-Chief of the UPDF, President  Museveni, for entrusting him with the leadership and command of the Mountain Division and Operation Shujaa.

The incoming Commander, Maj Gen Richard Otto, said he will build on the foundation laid by Lt Gen Muhanga as the first Commander of Operation Shujaa and the achievements of his predecessor, Maj Gen Olum.

Battle-hardened Maj Gen Dick Olum, who has been the Mountain Division Commander since 2022 when he replaced Lt Gen Kayanja Muhanga — the current Commander Land Forces handed over command to another battle-hardened Maj Gen Richard Otto.

Both Maj Gen Olum and Maj Gen Otto have, over their military service, served as commanders in Somalia, the Central African Republic, third Infantry Division in Uganda among other appointments.

The function was attended by the second in command of Mountain Division, Brig Gen Stephen Mugerwa; the air wing Commander Entebbe, Brig Gen Kasaijja; Commander Commando Brigade, Brig Gen Asaph Mweteise; representative of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Lt Col Jacob Apunia and leaders from Kabarole district.