Karamoja bids heartfelt farewell to Regional Internal Security Officer Mutabazi 

Kotido: Security operatives and the community in Karamoja Sub Region have bid farewell to the Regional Internal Security Officer (RISO), Lt. Col. Frank Mutabazi.

The colorful event organized by various stakeholders took place yesterday at Travelers Corner Bar and Restaurant, with a lot of refreshments and nyama choma.

Srt. Ongom Godfrey Lodwe, the proprietor of Travelers Corner Bar and Restaurant, thanked the security and the outgoing Riso for making their work so simple.

“Allow me in one minute to thank my Riso; he was a good supervisor and easy to approach,” said Ongom. He thanked the RISO for being down to earth and easy to approach.’’

The senior lieutenant of police, Godfrey Achiria, the RPC Kidepo, who also doubled as the chairperson organizing committee, said the handover/takeover party was a dream, and he made it come true.

“For starters, when I was posted to Kidepo, my handover/takeover party was in the barracks with ten people,” said Achiria.

He said when he took over, he reached out to stakeholders and asked them, “We can’t continue like this.”  The first handover/takeover party was for the deputy RPC, Ssp. Lameck Kigozi, who was posted to police headquarters, and he thanked Lt. Colonel Frank Mutabazi, the outgoing riso, for being able to run his race professionally.

“We worked as a team and shared information timely until the situation here in Karamoja became relatively calm,” said Achiria.

He urged the incoming Riso to fit in the shoes to pacify the Karamoja region in order to achieve total peace. Achiria applauded different stakeholders, noting Major General Don Nabasa, the 3rd Division Commander, for supporting them financially.

As a regional police commander, he pledged total support and teamwork for the new RISO, and he further wished to meet and work again with Lt. Col. F. Mutabazi.

The DISO Karenga, who represented all other DISOs and GISOs, Lokiru Paul Lawuda, quoting from a song, Lady Kuku, which he said was designed for him, would like to draw from the songs that have been sung here. I love that I love you so much. I felt the song of peace, which relates to what you have done.

Duty is normal, just like a tour. It’s the nature of our work to be posted anywhere in this country, wishing him the best in his endeavors.

He took the opportunity to welcome the new Riso to the region, promising to cooperate to achieve the desired goals.

The LC.5 Kotido Lotee Paul Komol, thanked the outgoing RISO Lt. Col. F. Mutabazi for being a brother who suffered with them.

“We slept in the bushes together to fight cattle rustling. What a man I will miss,’’ he said. He thanked the security operatives for working together to deliver the agenda for NRM children and the president.

The outgoing Riso Lt. Col. Frank Mutabazi, who is posted to Kigezi, noted that when he came to Karamoja, this kind of activity was unheard of. He thanked the committee for organizing the handover/takeover party.

In a special way, he thanked the collective efforts of his team, which he leads. He appreciated UPDF’s hard work and cooperation.

He did not hide his happiness, noting that he would miss working in Karamoja. Mutabazi noted to the new RISO that most of the work by updf is done; he urged for vigilance, noting that to the gisos, it is time to prove reamment does not take place; identify the karachunas with guns so that we can have relative peace.

He asked the LC5 Kacheri Boy to be at the forefront to fight rearmament. “Tell those young men and boys that we cannot develop when there’s insecurity; no one can allow you to invest when your security is not guaranteed,” he said.

Mutabazi expressed gratitude that the new posting had returned him home. The incoming RISO Capt. Winyi of the RISO North Karamoja appreciated the love from the security operatives.

He shared his telephone numbers so as to quicken accessibility. Mutabazi asked for the guidance accorded to his colleague to be given to him too.

The Deputy RDC Joel Magezi Lokiru Lukochi thanked the organizing committee, appreciating Rpc Achiria for being at the forefront. “Because of the relative peace, one can now be merry in Karamoja,” he noted.

He thanked RISO for being supportive; he told me I have not seen a man like you who is self-driven. Magezi acknowledged Frank for being smart and being able to spur peace in Karamoja.

Magezi also thanked all the security agencies for their commitment. He thanked the incoming Riso for accepting to come to work in Karamoja.

The Guest of Honor Brigadier General Wilberfoce Serunkuma, the deputy commander of the of the 3rd Division, appreciated the tireless efforts of the organizing committee.

He thanked the 405 Brigade and Gisos for their endless efforts. “To be sincere, I was promoted and appointed because of your cooperation,” he noted.

Serunkuma thanked Riso for the time spent together, wishing him the best in the Kigezi region. ‘’I have left no stone unturned. The peace we are enjoying here we have really sacrificed. We lost many countrymen. Don’t allow this peace to be taken away.’’

Let’s work together to see that peace prevails in this region. He appreciated the outgoing Riso for being outstanding and hardworking.

He also thanked Ongom for being outstanding in preparing parties, asking for one to be organized for him too. He tasked the new Riso with fitting in the shoes of the outgoing.

He emphasized teamwork and urged the message of peace to be spread.

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