Brig Kayanja Muhanga, the fourth Division Commander has handed over command of the 4th division to his hitherto deputy Col Fred Akiki Rugadya.
The handover took place on Tuesday during a closed ceremony at the 4th division infantry headquarters in Gulu officiated by the newly appointed Uganda Peoples Defence Forces(UPDF) Chief of Defense Forces [CDF], Maj Gen David Muhoozi.
Brig Muhanga who has been the commander of the 4th Division since June
2014 has been appointed to head the Uganda contingent under AMISOM in Somalia.
The acting 4th Division Spokesperson Lt Hassan Kato confirmed to Acholi Times in an interview on Tuesday that Col Rugadya has been appointed acting commander of the 4th division. Col Rugadya had been the 4th division commander since 2014.
“The handover is healthy because Brig Muhanga has got another assignment in Somalia to head the UPDF contingent under the AMISONM operation,’’ said Lt Kato.
The 4th division spokesman added that Col Rugadya’s command of the 4th division takes immediate effect. The new 4th division commander has been in Gulu since 2006.
“Col Rugadya understands the geography and politics of the region. This is not a new field to him but rather a new appointment, same job and same task,” Lt Kato said.
The new CDF Maj Gen Muhoozi, according to Lt Kato, advised the acting 4th Division commander to be vigilant in maintaining peace and security in Acholi, to cooperate with his juniors and local leaders within the jurisdiction of the 4th division.
Col Rugadya’s experience
Col Rugadya joined the then National Resistance Army [NRA] in 1985.
He served as the Battle Group Commander under UGABAG 9 in Somalia.
He has also been the 4th Division Intelligence officer, a position he
served until 2014.
He’s now commander of the strategic 4th division in, observers say has been a grooming ground for many senior UPDF officers.
