Air force gets new Chief of Staff

Maj Gen James Birungi (left) handing over a seal to Col Emmanuel Kwihangana (right) as the Deputy Air Force Commander, Maj Gen Garvas Mugyenyi (in the background) looks on. COURTESY PHOTO

KAMPALA- Col Emmanuel Kwihangana is the new Chief of Staff of the UPDF Air Force.

Col Kwihangana replaces Maj Gen James Birungi, who was recently appointed as commander of Special Forces Command (SFC).

According a UPDF statement, Col Kwihangana took over office on Friday. 

“The former Director of Engineering of the Uganda Peoples' Defence Forces' Air Force (UPDF - AF), Col Emmanuel Kwihangana has today assumed the appointment of Chief of Staff Air Forces (in acting capacity) from Maj Gen James Birungi who was recently appointed by the Commander-in-Chief of the UPDF as the Commander Special Forces Command (CSFC),” the statement reads in part.

The takeover ceremony that took place at UPDF- AF headquarters, Entebbe, was presided over by the Deputy Commander of UPDF Air Forces, Maj Gen Gavas Mugyenyi who represented the Commander of Air Forces (CAF), Lt Gen Charles Lutaaya.

Col Kwihangana is an engineer by profession and has held several appointments in the Air Force including Director Personnel and Administration as well as Director of Operations.