KAMPALA – President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the Commander-in-Chief of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), has promoted 301 General, Senior and Junior officers in a move aimed at strengthening leadership and enhancing the operational effectiveness of the military.
The promotions were announced in a press release issued on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, by the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs through the Department of Defence Public Information.
According to the statement, the President also confirmed 83 officers who had been serving in acting capacities into their substantive ranks. In addition, the probationary ranks of 89 Second Lieutenants have been confirmed, elevating them to the rank of Lieutenant.
Among the senior-most officers promoted and confirmed are Acting Major General Joseph Musoke Ssemwanga, who has been confirmed as Major General, while Brigadier Generals Godwin Karugaba, Chris Musinguzi Bagonza, Michael Nyarwa, Richard Karemire and David Robert Gonyi have all been promoted to the rank of Major General.
The Ministry said the promotions and confirmations are intended to reinforce leadership across all levels of the force and ensure continuity in fulfilling the UPDF’s constitutional mandate of defending Uganda’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
“The promotions and confirmations strengthen leadership across all levels of the Force and ensure continuity in fulfilling the UPDF’s constitutional mandate to defend the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Uganda,” the statement noted.
The Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs, together with the UPDF, congratulated all the officers upon their elevation, describing the appointments as an important step in strengthening the country’s defence leadership.
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