Takirwa takes over UPDF 2nd Division command

Brig Francis Takirwa

Kampala-Brig Francis Takirwa has taken over command of the UPDF 2nd Division in Mbarara, replacing Brig Kayanja Muhanga.

Brig Takirwa has been the army chief of Education, Sports and Culture. He is also an army representative in Parliament.

His new task is to oversee security in western Uganda, which is facing threats from Allied Democratic Forces rebels who operate in eastern DR Congo.

Brig Muhanga, who has previously commanded UPDF troops in South Sudan and Somalia, is going for studies at the National Defence College in South Africa. He handed over the 2nd Division command to Brig Takirwa yesterday.

The handover was presided over by the Chief of Defence Forces, Gen David Muhoozi.

Brig Takirwa was appointed the 2nd Division Commander in a mini reshuffle announced last week, which also saw the former Air Force Chief of Staff, Maj Gen Paul Lokech, replaced by Brig Charles Okidi.

Maj Gen Lokech was sent to South Sudan for special assignment to reorganise the armed forces as the warring parties move to screen troops, which is part of the negotiations to end the country’s bloody conflict.

Gen Muhoozi told officers who attended the function in Mbarara that the 2nd Division “is one of the largest and most productive divisions in the country and, therefore, requires to be handled with utmost care”.