Brigadier General John Mango Baraza has officially assumed office as the Chief of Staff of the Special Forces Command, succeeding Brigadier General Paul Wanyera Namawa, who is slated to attend a National Defence Course at Kimaka in Jinja.
The handover ceremony took place on Thursday, July 30, 2026, at the Special Forces Command Headquarters in Entebbe. The proceedings were presided over by the Deputy Commander of the Special Forces Command, Brigadier General Asaph Mweteise Nyakikuru.
Institutional Evolution and Infrastructure Progress
Brigadier General Namawa served as the pioneer Chief of Staff of the Special Forces Command, having assumed the position on August 23, 2024, following the establishment of the office under the UPDF Establishment 2021. The office maintains direct responsibility for overseeing the control and administration of the command.
During the formal presentation of his handover report, Namawa detailed the office’s administrative structure, core mandate, completed milestones, ongoing projects, and planned initiatives. His tenure oversaw the advancement and completion of several key infrastructure projects. These included new accommodation units, office blocks, health centres, training school dormitories, cookhouses, storage facilities, and the renovation of existing command infrastructure.
Namawa expressed gratitude to the UPDF leadership for the appointment as the first SFC Chief of Staff. He also thanked the Commander of the Special Forces Command, Major General David Mugisha, for guidance and support, and commended the Chief of Defence Forces, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, for his leadership. He further acknowledged the Commander-in-Chief, H.E. Gen. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, for ongoing guidance in building a professional military force.
Leadership Transitions and Command Postings
Stepping into his new role, Brigadier General Baraza accepted the responsibility and pledged to work closely with the SFC leadership and personnel to strengthen the command. He emphasized the necessity of teamwork, cooperation, and dedication among all officers and staff.
Prior to his appointment as Chief of Staff, Baraza served as the Director of Human Resource Management for the Special Forces Command. He formally handed over that directorate to Colonel Night Ikiriza, who previously served as the Deputy Director of Human Resource Management and Head of Administration.
Brigadier General Nyakikuru praised Namawa for establishing a firm institutional foundation for the Chief of Staff’s office. Nyakikuru congratulated Namawa on his selection for the National Defence Course at Kimaka and wished him success in his studies. Welcoming Baraza, Nyakikuru urged him to build upon existing progress, consult his predecessor when necessary, and foster continued professionalism within the command.
The ceremony also marked the transition of multiple key appointments across various units and directorates within the Special Forces Command:
- Director Political Commissar: Col. Gilbert Owamagyezi took over from Col. Moses Musinguzi.
- Commander, 16 Service Brigade: Lt. Col. Frank Murema took over from Col. RR Tugume.
- Commander, 2 Protective Agents Brigade: Lt. Col. Sam Kabweera took over from Col. B. Matsiko.
- Commandant, VVIP Training School, Sera Kasenyi: Maj. AK Mugabi took over from Lt. Col. SB Mucunguzi.
- Commanding Officer, 6 Infantry Battalion: Maj. RR Mutungi took over from Lt. Col. Sam Kabweera.
- Commandant, Fort Samora Machel Training School, Waza: Maj. A. Nsobya took over from Lt. Col. E. Beyendera.
- Deputy Director of Operations: Lt. Col. AC Kaawe took over from Lt. Col. Frank Murema.
- Commander, 804 Motorised Infantry Brigade: Lt. Col. Justus Kakonge took over from Lt. Col. Moses Maiku.
- Director of Personnel Policy: Col. PM Lokut took over from Maj. James Turinawe.
- Commanding Officer, 2 Infantry Battalion: Maj. Fred Mugabi took over from Maj. M. Abaho.
- Administration, Directorate of Operations: Lt. Col. M. Muyanda took over from Maj. Matumba.
- Public Information Officer, SFC: Capt. J. Kabandize took over from Maj. JD Omara.
- Chief Instructor, Fort Samora Machel Training School, Waza: Capt. G. Chandiga took over from Maj. A. Nsobya.
- Intelligence Officer, Nakasero: Lt. SM Tumusiime took over from Capt. J. Kabandize.
These administrative changes form part of an ongoing leadership transition designed to reinforce operational effectiveness, command cohesion, and administrative oversight across all formations of the Special Forces Command.
