Kampala, (UG): The Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) has confirmed the untimely passing of its Deputy Commander of the Air Force, Brig Gen Stephen Kiggundu, who slipped to death inside his bathroom on Easter Sunday.
In a statement released on Sunday Evening, Brig Gen Felix Kulayigye, the Defence Spokesperson said Kiggundu met his sudden in the bathroom at his place of residence in Entebbe.
“It is with deep sadness and heavy hearts that the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces inform the public of the untimely demise of Brig Gen Stephen Kigundu the Deputy Commander of UPDF Airforces which occurred in the evening of today 31′ Mar 2024 at his official residence in Entebbe,” Kulayigye said in a Sunday evening Obituary statement.
“Brig Gen Stephen Kigundu was well all day until the evening of today when he met his death in his birth room,” he added.
Although details regarding the cause of Kiggundu’s sudden death were still scanty by press time, sources privy to the late told this publication that the Air Force chief was electrocuted in a freak accident while taking a shower on the evening.
His last appearance publicly came just days ago the 4th Division Headquarters in Gulu on March 28, 2024, during an event in which Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba took over from Gen Wilson Mbadi as the new Chief of Defence Forces.
The late Kiggundu, who previously served as the commander of the Soroti Air Force wing, was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General and appointed deputy chief of the UPDF Airforce in November 2022.
The appointment of the late Kiggundu back then came in a reshuffle that saw Lt Gen Charles Lutaaya replaced with Maj Gen Charles Okidi – who was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant General – as the Airforce chief.
Lt Gen Charles Lutaaya was appointed senior presidential advisor on matters of Air Forces.
Gen Kiggundu and his boss Gen Okidi took over at the Defence Air Force at a time when the national defence was losing resources, including experienced soldiers, in crash accidents.
“The UPDF fraternity and Uganda Peoples Defence Forces Air forces will miss Brig Gen Kigundu at this time when his services were most needed to continue strengthening our Air force capabilities,” Kulayigye said of the late.
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