BOMBO, Luweero District – 28 January 2026
The Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) has elected ten of its officers to serve as military representatives in Parliament for the 2026–2031 term. The election was carried out by the Defence Forces Council electoral college at the Land Forces Headquarters in Bombo.
The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), led by Chairperson Justice Simon Mugenyi Byabakama, supervised the exercise to ensure it was carried out in line with the Constitution and the Parliamentary Elections Act.
“We oversaw the process to make sure it was transparent and followed the law,” Justice Byabakama said.
Following the vote count, IEC Returning Officer Diana Kateeba Tumusiime announced the ten officers who will represent the UPDF in Parliament:
- Lt Gen Sam Okiding – Deputy Chief of Defence Forces & Inspector General
- Lt Gen Sam Kavuma – Deputy Coordinator, Operation Wealth Creation
- Lt Gen James Mugira – Managing Director, National Enterprise Corporation
- Maj Gen Henry Masiko – Joint Staff Political Commissar
- Maj Gen James Kinalwa – Joint Staff Human Resource Management
- Maj Gen Joseph Ssemwanga – Deputy Commander, Land Forces
- Brig Gen David Gonyi – Chief of Staff, Air Force
- Col Night Ikiriza (Female) – Special Forces Command
- Col Sylvia Meeme (Female) – Military Police
- Col Christine Nekesa (Female) – Air Force
The Defence Forces Council meeting, chaired by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, who is also the UPDF Commander-in-Chief, brings together senior officers, chiefs and directors of services, commanders of training institutions, brigade and battalion commanders, the Defence Forces Sergeant Major, and regional reserve force commanders.
During the same event, the President commissioned three officer cadets who completed training abroad in December 2025. They include 2Lt Bazalaki Tikula from Sri Lanka, and 2Lt Moses Ekoi and 2Lt Piloya Vivian from Tanzania.
The UPDF congratulated the newly elected and re-elected officers, wishing them success as they prepare to represent the military in the 12th Parliament.
