Late last week, Brigadier Hon Flavia Byekwaso was appointed the UPDF spokesperson, making her the first female spokesperson of the forces.
Brig Byekwaso replaces a fellow Brigadier, Richard Karemire who has been assigned to the East African Secretariat, among the numerous shuffles in the UPDF hierarchy.
“Please join me to welcome Hon Brig-Gen Flavia Byekwaso appointed the Defence Spokesperson following the end of my tour of duty. I have been assigned to EAC Secretariat as Defence Liaison Officer. I look forward to working on Integration as the solution for our strategic security,” Brig Richard Karemire tweeted on Saturday.
In an interview that aired on NTV, Brig. Byekwaso was not short of joy but also called on her colleagues to support her as she takes on the new role.
“This is a very great role, and I am very excited to take it on. I am the first woman to take on this office, and it is an exciting part of history,” remarked Brig Flavia Byekwaso.
Every journey has ups and downs, friends along the way. It has been 24 years and the opportunities keep presenting themselves. It is exciting for all women in the forces and the calls of congratulations I am getting are overwhelming me. I know I am inspiring many women in the forces. Now, I can say I need everyone’s support because a lot is expected of me and I have to do the job.
Brigadier Flavia Byekwaso has also been serving as an elected member of parliament representing the Uganda People’s Defence Forces in the 10th Parliament.
Full list of changes in UPDF below
1.Maj Gen Sam Kiwanuka – Chief of Production& Welfare.
2.Maj Gen Moses Ddiba Ssentongo – Chief Mubende Rehabilitation Centre.
3.Maj Gen Hudson Mukasa – Chief of Staff Reserve Forces
4.Maj Gen Francis Okello – Comdt National Defense College.
5.Maj Gen Innocent Oula – Deputy MD NEC.
6.Maj Gen Don Nabasa – Contingent Commander-AMISOM.
7.Brig Gen Emanuel Rwashande – Chief Civil-Military Cooperation
8. Brig Gen Stephen Oluka – deployed to OWC
9.Brig Gen George Etyang – OWC
10.Brig Gen Jeff Mukasa – Director Counter-Terrorism
11.Brig Gen William Beinomugisha- IC 2 Division
12. Brig Gen James Kaija – Defense Advisor UK
13. Brig Gen Fred Karara – DA Sudan
14. Brig Gen Christopher Bbossa – DA China.
15. Brig Gen Mike Kisame – DA Kenya
16. Brig Gen Joseph Balikudembe – 3 Div Commander
17. Brig Gen Simon Ocan – DA Switzerland
18. Brig Gen Michael Kabango – Seconded to AU Peace Support Operations Department.
19.Brig Gen Felix Kulayigye – OWC.
20.Brig Gen Mathew Gureme – Chief of Training & Recruitment.
21.Brig Gen Richard Karemire – Defence Liaison Officer(DLO) EAC Secretariat Headquarters.
22.Brig Gen Flavia Byekwaso – Defence Spokesperson
23. Brig Gen Tingira Irumba – Chief of Policy& Plans
24. Brig Gen Charles Asiimwe – Commander National Counter Terrorism Centre.
25.Brig Gen Richard Otto – Deputy CMI
26.Brig Gen James Nambale – DA Turkey.
27.Brig Gen Robert Ocama – OWC
28. Col Bahoku Barigye – DA Cuba
29. Col Keith Katungi – Commandant Military Police.
