By Leonard Kamugisha Akida,
The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) has elected 10 representatives to sit in the country’s next parliament, due to begin its term in May, 2026.
The voting was held during the Army Council, the army’s top decision-making body, sitting chaired by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni at the Land Forces Headquarters in Bombo, on Tuesday.
The vote was overseen by the Independent Electoral Commission in line with the guidelines of the Special Interest Groups (SIGs) elections.
“I Kateeba Tumusiime Diana being the Returning Officer for Election of Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) Representatives to Parliament having added up the number of votes cast for each candidate in accordance with Section 72 of the Parliamentary Elections Act, Cap. 177,” Kateeba Tumusiime Diana, EC official announced.
Under Uganda’s constitution, the army is allocated seats in parliament as one of several special interest groups, alongside women, workers, young people and persons with disabilities. The arrangement is intended to ensure the military’s institutional representation in the legislature.
Who was elected?
Those elected include senior serving officers drawn from different branches of the armed forces.
“I declare the following who have obtained the largest number of votes as the elected Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) Males Representatives to Parliament,” Kateeba declared
They are Lt Gen Sam Okiding, the Deputy Chief of Defence Forces; Lt Gen Sam Kavuma, Deputy Coordinator of Operation Wealth Creation; and Lt Gen James Mugira, the Managing Director of the National Enterprise Corporation.
Others are Maj Gen Henry Masiko, the army’s Chief Political Commissar; Maj Gen James Kinalwa, in charge of human resource management; Maj Gen Joseph Ssemwanga, Deputy Commander of Land Forces; and Brig Gen David Gonyi, Chief of Staff of the Air Force.
Three women officers were also elected: Col Night Ikiriza of the Special Forces Command, Col Sylvia Meeme of the Military Police, and Col Christine Nekesa of the Air Force.
New and returning MPs
Some of the officers elected are returning to parliament, having served in the outgoing legislature signalling a desire for political change by the members of the forces. These include Lt Gen Mugira, Maj Gen Masiko and Lt Gen Kavuma.
They will replace several senior officers who previously represented the army in parliament but have since taken up cabinet posts or other government assignments. Among those stepping down are former army commanders Gen David Muhoozi, now a minister of state for internal affairs, and Gen Edward Katumba Wamala, the minister of works and transport.
Others leaving parliament include Gen Wilson Mbasu Mbadi, a state minister for trade, and Lt Gen Peter Elwelu, currently serving as a senior presidential adviser. Three UPDF female representatives, Col. Dr. Victor Nekesa, Brig. Gen. Charity Bainababo, and Maj. Dr Jennifer Alonyo have also been shown exit.
Wider meeting
During the same meeting, the President commissioned three officer cadets who completed military training abroad in December. They include 2nd Lt Bazalaki Tikula, who trained in Sri Lanka, and 2nd Lts Moses Ekoi and Piloya Vivian, who both trained in Tanzania.
The elected representatives will take up their seats when the new parliament convenes in May, 2026.
