Kampala, Uganda: Maj Gen Joseph Musoke Ssemwanga has risen to one of the most powerful operational positions in the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) after his promotion to Major General and appointment as Deputy Commander of the UPDF Land Forces.
His elevation follows the death of Maj Gen Francis Takirwa, and places Ssemwanga at the centre of Uganda’s land-based military operations at a time of heightened regional and internal security demands.
Battle-tested field commander
Maj Gen Ssemwanga is widely regarded within military circles as a disciplined, field-oriented officer whose career has been shaped by frontline command rather than desk postings.
Before his appointment, he served as Contingent Commander of UPDF troops under the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), where Ugandan forces play a central role in counter-insurgency, infrastructure protection and stabilization operations.
His Somalia tour reinforced his reputation as a commander capable of managing multinational forces, complex logistics and asymmetric warfare—experience considered critical for senior land forces leadership.
Prior to his deployment to Somalia toward the end of 2024, Ssemwanga commanded the UPDF 1st Infantry Division, headquartered at Kakiri, Wakiso District. The division is one of the army’s most strategically significant formations, responsible for the defence of the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area and key installations.
At Kakiri, he oversaw troop readiness, training coordination and operational discipline, working closely with intelligence and special units to maintain internal security.
Rise through the ranks
Originally holding the rank of Brigadier General, Ssemwanga was promoted to Major General as part of his appointment to the Land Forces command. His promotion reflects a career progression built on operational performance, command competence and institutional loyalty rather than political visibility.
UPDF insiders describe him as methodical, reserved and intensely professional—traits often favoured for senior command roles that demand coordination across divisions and theatres of operation.
As Deputy Commander Land Forces, Maj Gen Ssemwanga serves as the second-in-command of the UPDF’s largest and most operationally active service arm. The Land Forces oversee infantry divisions, armoured units, artillery formations and special task forces across Uganda and in external deployments.
The position involves direct oversight of operations, force readiness, training standards and coordination with regional and international partners.
His appointment ensures continuity following the illness and death of Maj Gen Takirwa, who had fallen sick in December 2025 and later succumbed to stroke-related complications.
Military analysts say Ssemwanga’s background in both domestic command and external missions positions him well to maintain operational stability, especially as the UPDF balances internal security, border operations and regional peace enforcement.
As the UPDF Land Forces enter a new chapter, Maj Gen Joseph Musoke Ssemwanga now stands at the heart of Uganda’s ground combat command, quietly powerful, operationally grounded, and firmly shaped by the realities of modern warfare.
If you would like your article/opinion to be published on Uganda’s most authoritative news platform, send your submission on: [email protected]. You can also follow DailyExpress on WhatsApp and on Twitter (X) for realtime updates.
