The UPDF 1st Infantry division commander Maj Gen Samuel Kawagga has on Wednesday presided over the handover of the office second in command between Brig Gen Joseph M Balikuddembe and Brig Gen Julius Biryabarema.
Brig Balikuddembe has got wide experience in both staff and command work having been a division intelligence officer in the same division in 2000.
He is however more popular for the operation he led against Al-Shabaab as battle group commander, battle group Xi in Somalia in 2013 and as overall operation commander of operation against the Lord resistance army (LRA) in Central African Republic in 2011/12.
While presiding over the function, Maj Gen Kawagga said he was happy that Gen Balikuddembe had successfully completed his tour of duty in the alpha division without any scandal despite working in a political changed and crime prone area.
He thanked him for making his work easy during his tenure as his 2nd in command.
“My work is to prepare deputies to take over from me. I am happy Balikuddembe is going as an acting division commander in the 3rd division,” he said.
Brig. Gen. Dembe narrated several security threats within division area of responsibility which included Al-Shabaab terrorists, threats politically instigated hooliganism, general crimes, land wrangle like in Mubende, Sango bay, ritual murder, among others.
He pledged to the incoming commander to give him advice in case he needed any.
The incoming commander Brig Gen Julius Biryabarema said that he was ready to learn from the experienced commander Maj Gen Samuel Kawagga.
“This is first time to work in Kampala, I am your child and I am ready to learn from your vast experience,” he said.
He further asked for cooperation from all commanders and staff officers present.
Brig Gen. Julius Biryabarema went through the prestigious Nasser high for his national defence college in Egypt in 2015/16.
Brig Gen. Julius had trained as battalion commander at Nanjing Army Command College, China in 2008
He has served as battalion commander and second in command of the 3rd division.
