By Prosper Gibolo and Moses Lokeris
The UPDF 405 brigade headquartered at Nakapelimoru Sub-County in Kotido District, has bid farewell to its outgoing commander Lt. Col. Gaston Mugarura, welcoming Lt. Col. Ruziro Nuwagaba, as the new commander.
Col. Nuwagaba has been the commander of Sector Four based in Luna, Ituri Province under the UPDF Mountain Division headquartered in Fort Portal (Rwenzori region).
His new role now is to oversee the North Karamoja region, which is witnessing isolated cases of insecurity orchestrated by the armed gunmen especially in Kaabong district.
Lt. Mugarura, who succeeded late Col. David Byaruhanga in December, 2024, has been transferred to Rwenzori region, facing threats from the ADF operating in DR. Congo.
He handed over the mantle to his successor Lt. Col. Ruziro Nuwagaba yesterday in a function held at 405 Brigade headquarters in Nakapelimoru sub-county.
The function attended by the high ranking security officers operating in Karamoja Sub-region and district leaders was presided over by the Commander 3rd Infantry Division Moroto, Major Wilberforce Sserunkuma.
In his handover speech, Lt. Col. Mugarura hailed communities, leaders and Etoil A Karamoja for the good cooperation in peace building.
“I want to express my gratitude to Etoil A Karamoja, all the people of Karamoja, and leaders for making my work and stay enjoyable and successful”, he said.
Lt. Mugarura stated the current relative peace in North Karamoja and the entire region, is a result of the good working relationship among the security forces, local communities, and leaders.
He also urged military leaders to prioritise security and peace building in Karamoja as essential drivers of socio-economic development.
“I urge you, commanders, to maintain security and create peace as an enabler towards achieving socio-economic transformation,” Lt. Col. Mugarura said.
He further called for efforts to persuade offenders to voluntarily surrender and take advantage of the amnesty offered as part of the ongoing disarmament campaign.
Raphael Magyezi, the Kotido Deputy Resident Commissioner, praised the Mugarura for his collaborative efforts with the local community and district leaders in peace restoration.
Latex Stephen Odongo, Resident District Commissioner (RDC) of Kaabong, commended Lt. Col. Mugarura, and other security personnel for their contributions to the ongoing peace-building process in North Karamoja.
In his speech, the Moroto 3rd Infantry Division Commander, Major Wilberforce Sserunkuma assured the incoming commander of good working relations during his tenure at the helm of the 405 brigade.
He is optimistic that Lt. Col. Ruziro Nuwagaba will excel in his work given expertise in commanding Operation Shujaa (meaning “brave” in Swahili), an ongoing joint military operation launched on November 30, 2021, by the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) and the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC) to combat the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) in the eastern DRC.
“When Lt. Col. Mugarura, took over from late Col. David Byaruhanga in 2024, people doubted his capabilities to deal with hardcore Karamojong armed men, but he disproved them through his excellent work”, said Maj. Sserukuma.
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