Maj.Gen.Paul Lokech has handed over the control of the UPDAF Chief of Staff command to his successor, Brig.Charles Okidi.
Maj.Gen.Lokech was sent for a special assignment in South Sudan by the commander in chief who is also the president, Yoweri Museveni.
The handover of office was at a function presided over by the commander UPDAF, Lt.Gen.Charles Lutaaya at Entebbe air force base.
Speaking at the function, Lt.Gen.Lutaaya, applauded Lokech for the exemplary service during the short time he has been the Chief of Staff but also wished him luck in his new task in South Sudan.
“It’s a well-deserved appointment given the vast experience in command and operating in hostile environments in Uganda and outside Uganda especially Somalia where there is now some degree of sanity” Gen Lutaaya observed.
The Air Forces commander further congratulated the new Chief of Staff Brig Okidi for the promotion and appointment well-deserved.
“Let us work as a team in order to promote and fulfill the mission and vision of Air Forces as mandated by the constitution of the Republic of Uganda,” he said.
In his remarks, the UPDF joint Chief of Staff Lt.Gen Joseph Musanyufu congratulated the two general officers for the assignments entrusted to them by the commander in chief.
In his speech, Maj Gen Lokech advised his successor to emphasize accountability of the limited resources that come to the Air force.
He highlighted the challenges that he said require extra commitment and sacrifice in order to fulfill the intent of the Commander in Chief in particular and the country in general.
Brig Charles Okidi commended the Air force Lt Gen Charles Lutaaya for mentoring him and enabled him to be the best-suited candidate for the office of Chief of Staff.
“You assigned me tasks that were challenging and now the results are manifested,” Brig Okidi said.
Brig Gen Okidi has been a long-time presidential pilot who also doubled as the Director Operations at the Air Force headquarters in Entebbe.
He also served as Nakasongola Air force wing commander, Entebbe Air force wing commander, Squadron commander and Officer Commanding Operations at Entebbe Air force wing.
The ceremony was also attended by the Deputy commander Air Forces Maj Gen Gavas Mugyenyi, Brig. Kazahura, the Under Secretary Air Force, James Mutabazi, wing commanders and directors at the Air Force headquarters in Entebbe.
