The commander in chief of Uganda’s Armed Forces, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has made several changes in the Uganda People’s Defence Air Forces(UPDAF) in which he appointed Gen. Charles Okidi as the overall commander.
According to the changes announced on Monday evening, Okidi who was at the rank of Major General was promoted to the next rank of Lieutenant General before being appointed the UPDAF commander.
The president consequently appointed Lt Gen Charles Lutaaya who has been the Air Force commander as a senior presidential advisor on matters of air force whereas Lt Col Stephen Kiggundu promoted to Brigadier and appointed deputy commander air force , a place which has previously been held by Gen Okidi.
Who is Gen. Charles Okidi?
Lt Gen Okidi has for a long-time served as a pilot to the president, a role he has served in diligently earning the trust of the commander in chief.
Gen Okidi previously served 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.
In March this year, the president moved Gen Okidi from the position of air force Chief of Staff which he had taken over in 2019 to deputy commander of the UPDAF.
The latest elevation in position comes only eight months since the previous one as the president repays him for his diligent service.
For example by 2019 when he was appointed as the UPDAF Chief of Staff to replace Gen Paul Lokech, he was only at the rank of Colonel but has in just three years since then been promoted three times to the latest rank of Lieutenant General.