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Karamoja gets new UPDF operation commanders after Museveni visit  

Some of the  newly-appointed commanders pose for a photo with Maj Gen Don Nabasa at the 3rd division headquarters in Moroto District on December 14, 2024. Photo/ Courtesy 

What you need to know:

  •  Those who are taking up new operations command roles are Lt Col Fred Eribankya Wemba  who will head  Usalama Brigade, Lt Col Hussein Katamba  will head BOTO 1 Usalama Brigade, Lt Col Habibu Noah Leriga  will head BOTO 2 Usalama Brigade, Maj Wilson Otage , will head  X-RAY Battalion  and Capt William Masaba  will head Uniform Battalion all based in Karamoja.

Major General Don Nabasa, Commander of the 3rd Infantry Division of the Uganda Peoples' Defence Forces (UPDF), has urged the military commanders to intensify efforts to consolidate peace in the restive, mineral-rich Karamoja sub-region as part of the ongoing disarmament operation.

 Speaking at the handover of leadership roles at Moroto Army Barracks on Saturday, Maj Gen Nabasa underscored the importance of building on the security gains made so far.
"The Karamoja sub-region is now relatively calm. I urge you to maintain focus and build on our achievements during this consolidation phase," he said.


Mr Nabasa said that the joint security forces have managed to restore peace to the region, noting that the positive feedback from the community reflects their success.

"You must work with local leadership and the people as our best allies to strengthen strategic relationships and achieve success," he added. 
He said the selection of the new commanders is one that was arrived at based on their experience, dedication, and leadership qualities, which align with the expectations of the appointing authority.

Brigadier General Wilberforce Sserunkuma, Deputy Division Commander, praised the resilience of the joint forces in maintaining security and responding to disasters, such as the recent landslide in Bulambuli. He encouraged commanders to mentor their subordinates and prepare them for future leadership roles.

 Those who are taking up new operations command roles are Lt Col Fred Eribankya Wemba  who will head  Usalama Brigade, Lt Col Hussein Katamba  will head BOTO 1 Usalama Brigade, Lt Col Habibu Noah Leriga  will head BOTO 2 Usalama Brigade, Maj Wilson Otage , will head  X-RAY Battalion  and Capt William Masaba  will head Uniform Battalion all based in Karamoja.
Brig Gen Wilberforce Sserunkuma, said that the new roles entrusted to the new commanders need commitment and continued collaboration with the civilians in ensuring that crime is ended in Karamoja.

This comes days after President Museveni toured the poorest sub-region whose elders in appealed to him to pardon thousands of Karimojong youth arrested and jailed during disarmament operations.
According to Mr Museveni, over 900 Karamojong youth are in Kitalya prison alone.

"I now remembered one of the factors that caused the return of peace in Karamoja and the neighbouring areas. It was the efficient and focused work of the military courts that had supplemented the military operations, by legally putting away these confused youths from society for a given period. This was in contrast to the child play of producing these criminals in civilian courts, where they are granted bail or being kept on remand endlessly where they form part of the backlog of the general court system," Mr Museveni who has ruled Uganda since 1986 said in a December 12, 2024 statement in which he attempted to justify trying civilians in the General Court martial which has been described by human rights activists as a Kangaroo court used by the state to intimidate and punish Mr Museveni's political opponents.


The president said he had already directed his son, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba who serves as the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) together with his army colleagues to audit the Karamojong youth who are in prison, "to see the ones who can be pardoned separated from the hardcore criminals who should not be pardoned yet."