Maj. Gen. Otto takes over Mountain Division command

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KAMPALA - The Commander Land Forces, Lieutenant General Kayanja Muhanga, on May 22, 2024, commended Major General Dick Olum for the distinguished work in Operation Shujaa, which has enabled the wanainchi to carry on with their economic and social activities in the areas where the joint forces are operating.

"I thank Gen Olum for the work well done. Tour of duty is a must in the army. We wish Maj Gen Dick luck in his new duty station," Lt Gen Muhanga said in appreciation of Gen Olum's service in the Mountain Division and Operation Shujaa.

Lt Gen. Muhanga made the remarks on Wednesday at the handover/takeover ceremony of Commander Mountain Division from Maj. Gen. Olum to Maj. Gen. Richard Otto, which took place in Fort Portal.

The Uganda People Defence Forces (UPDF) in a statement released on Wednesday noted that Lt. Gen. Muhanga, implored the leadership of the Rwenzori region to embrace the new leader and work with him to sustain the peace.

In his remarks, Maj. Gen. Olum thanked the Commander-in-Chief of the UPDF, Gen. (Rtd) Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, for entrusting him with the leadership and command of the Mountain Division and Operation Shujaa. 

The incoming Commander, Maj. Gen. Otto, said he will build on the foundation laid by Lt Gen. Muhanga as the first Commander of Operation Shujaa and the achievements of his predecessor, Maj. Gen. Olum.

President Museveni on May 13, 2024, appointed Maj. Gen. Otto the new commander of Mountain Division and Commander Operation Shujaa, a joint operation against the Allied Democratic Forces terrorists between the Uganda Peoples Defence Forces (UPDF) and the Armed Forces for the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC).

Maj. Gen. Otto swapped places with Maj. Gen. Olum who now heads to South Sudan Stabilisation Mechanism where Maj. Gen. Otto has been representing Uganda.

Battle-hardened Maj. Gen. Olum who has been the Mountain Division Commander since 2022 when he replaced Lt Gen. Kayanja Muhanga — the current Commander Land Forces, handed over command to another battle-hardened officer in Maj. Gen. Otto.

Both Maj. Gen. Olum and Maj. Gen. Otto have, over their military career served as commanders in Somalia, the Central African Republic, the 3rd Infantry Division in Uganda, among other appointments.

The function was attended by the second in command of Mountain Division, Brig. Gen. Stephen Mugerwa; the Air Wing Commander Entebbe, Brig. Gen. Kasaijja; Commander Commando Brigade, Brig. Gen. Asaph Mweteise; representative of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Lt Col Jacob Apunia, and leaders from Kabarole district.