President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, who is also the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces has appointed Lt Gen Charles Okidi as the overall commander of Uganda People’s Defence Air Forces (UPDAF).

The changes were last evening Monday 6th November 2022 announced by the UPDF Spokesman Brig Felix Kulayigye who disclosed that Lt Gen Okidi who was at the rank of Major General was promoted to the next rank of Lieutenant General before being appointed the UPDAF commander.

Brig Kulayigye said that President Museveni consequently appointed Lt Gen Charles Lutaaya who has been the Air Force commander as a Senior Presidential Advisor on matters of Airforce whereas Lt Col Stephen Kiggundu was promoted to Brigadier and appointed Deputy Airforce Commander, a position which has previously been held by Lt Gen Okidi.

Lt Gen Okidi has for a long-time served as a Pilot to President Museveni, a role he has served diligently and earned the trust of the Commander in Chief and previously served as the Director Operations at the Airforce headquarters in Entebbe.

Lt Gen Okidi 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 Airforce Chief of Staff which he had occupied in 2019 and was appointed the Deputy Commander of the UPDAF and the latest elevation in position comes only 8 months.

The latest changes in the UPDAF come on the backdrop of incidents involving Ugandan Helicopters in which several people died.