Gen Museveni promotes 301 UPDF officers, confirms 172 in new ranks

Kampala, Uganda: President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the Commander-in-Chief of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), has promoted 301 Generals, Senior and Junior officers in one of the military’s latest leadership reshuffles aimed at strengthening command and operational effectiveness across the force.

According to a UPDF statement issued on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, the President also confirmed 83 officers who had been serving in acting capacities in their substantive ranks. Additionally, the probationary ranks of 89 Second Lieutenants have been confirmed to the rank of Lieutenant.

Among the senior-most officers elevated are Ag. Maj. Gen. Joseph Musoke Ssemwanga, who has been confirmed as Major General, while five Brigadiers have been promoted to the rank of Major General.

Col. Chris Magezi, the Acting Director of Defence Public Information, said the promotions and confirmations are intended to strengthen leadership across all levels of the UPDF while ensuring continuity in fulfilling the force’s constitutional mandate of defending Uganda’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

“These promotions and confirmations strengthen leadership across all levels of the Force and ensure continuity in fulfilling the UPDF’s constitutional mandate to defend the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Uganda,” Magezi noted.

He congratulated all the promoted and confirmed officers upon their elevation.

Military promotions within the UPDF are periodically undertaken to recognise merit, experience and service while strengthening leadership structures, succession planning and operational command across the defence force.