Kampala, Uganda:– Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has appointed Brigadier General Chris Bagonza as the new Chief of Staff of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) Land Forces, with immediate effect.
Brig. Gen. Bagonza replaces Brig. Gen. Micheal Kabango, who was recently designated as Commandant of the Senior Command and Staff College in Kimaka, Jinja.
His appointment was confirmed on Friday May 02, in a statement released by Acting UPDF Spokesperson Col. Chris Magezi.
“The Chief of Defence Forces General Muhoozi Kainerugaba has appointed Brigadier General Chris Bagonza as the new UPDF Chief of Staff of the Land Force (COS LF) with Headquarters in Bombo,” Col Magezi wrote.
In a related development, the CDF also appointed Col. Nelson Ahebwa as Deputy Joint Staff Chief Political Commissar under the UPDF’s Political Commissariat led by Maj. Gen. Henry Masiko.
“The UPDF fraternity congratulates the General and senior officers upon their well-deserved appointments and wishes them good luck in their duties.”
Before his appointment, Brig. Gen. Bagonza served as Deputy Joint Staff for Human Resource Management at the Joint UPDF Services Headquarters in Mbuya, under Brig. Gen. Jimmy Kinalwa. He also previously served as Director of Personnel and Administration for the Land Forces, taking over that portfolio in 2023.
During his 2023 handover, officiated by then Chief of Staff Land Forces Maj. Gen. Jack Agonza Bakasumba, Bagonza pledged loyalty and service to the Commander-in-Chief and promised to build on the foundation of strengthening personnel welfare across the forces.
The new Chief of Staff is a graduate of the National Defence College – Uganda (NDC-U) and was among the pioneer cohort that completed the National Security and Strategic Course in January 2023.
Bagonza’s career has consistently reflected a dedication to professional development and strategic leadership within the UPDF.
In September 2024, while presiding over a retirement sensitization session at the Non-Commissioned Officers Academy in Jinja, he praised outgoing officers for their service, urging them to transition into civilian life with dignity and a renewed sense of service to their communities.
Brig. Gen. Bagonza is expected to play a central role in coordinating operations and strategic planning for the Land Forces, at a time when the UPDF is undergoing a high-level restructuring of its top command to reinforce discipline, combat readiness, and internal cohesion.
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