President Museveni has promoted 301 Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) officers and confirmed the ranks of another 172 officers in a move aimed at strengthening leadership across the military, the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs said on Tuesday.
In a statement, Acting Director of Defence Public Information Col. Chris Magezi said Museveni, who is also the Commander-in-Chief of the UPDF, approved the promotions and confirmations across the General, Senior and Junior officer ranks.
The ministry said 83 officers who had been serving in acting appointments were confirmed in their substantive ranks, while 89 probationary Second Lieutenants had their ranks confirmed as full Lieutenants.
Among the senior officers, Acting Major General Joseph Musoke Ssemwanga was confirmed in the substantive rank of Major General.
Five Brigadier Generals were promoted to the rank of Major General.
They are Chris Musinguzi Bagonza, who serves as Chief of Staff – Land Forces; Godwin Karugaba, who serves as Joint Staff Logistics; Michael Nyarwa, Commander of the Marine Brigade; Richard Karemire – UPDF Joint Staff Formal Education, Sports and Culture (JS FESC) ; and David Robert Gonyi.
The promotions form part of a wider exercise that elevated 301 officers across the General, Senior and Junior officer ranks while confirming the ranks of another 172 officers.
The Defence Ministry said the promotions and confirmations were intended to strengthen leadership at every level of the force and ensure continuity in fulfilling the UPDF’s constitutional mandate of defending Uganda’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
“The Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs together with the Uganda People’s Defence Forces extend their congratulations to all the officers upon their elevation,” the statement said.