KAMPALA — Nineteen General Officers of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) are set to formally retire next week, bringing to 1,817 the number of military personnel retiring from the force in August 2026.
The General Officers will be retired during a ceremony at State House Entebbe on Thursday, August 20, 2026, to be presided over by the President and Commander-in-Chief of the UPDF, General Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.
The retirees include Gen Edward Katumba Wamala, Lt Gen Charles Otema Awany, Lt Gen Charles Angina, Maj Gen Abel Kandiho, Maj Gen Geofrey Katsigazi Tumusiime, Maj Gen Apollo Kasiita-Gowa and Maj Gen Leopold Eric Kyanda.
Others are Brig Gen Edson Muhanguzi, Brig Gen Sam Omara, Brig Gen Fred Zakye, Brig Gen Fred Rugadya Akiiki, Brig Gen Mike Samuel Kisame, Brig Gen Patrick Mwesigye and Brig Gen Stephen Tumwesigye Kashure.
The list is completed by Brig Gen Simon Nicholas Ocan, Brig Gen Metland K Bitumbika, Brig Gen Charles Bakahumura, Brig Gen Charles Asiimwe Kahangire and Brig Gen Cyril Mawa Muhindo.
The retirement of the 19 General Officers will formally conclude the UPDF’s August 2026 retirement exercise, which has seen personnel across different ranks leave active service.
According to the UPDF, the overall cohort comprises 19 General Officers, 229 Senior Officers, 205 Junior Officers and 1,364 militants.
The Senior Officers, Junior Officers and militants were retired this week during ceremonies held at the Joint Services Headquarters in Mbuya and at various Services and Division Headquarters across the country.
The UPDF said the retirees are being recognised for their contribution to safeguarding Uganda’s sovereignty, supporting regional peace and upholding the force’s values of discipline, patriotism and Pan-Africanism.
“Their retirement marks an honourable conclusion to years of service and the beginning of new and productive chapters in their lives,” said Col Chris Magezi, Acting Director of Defence Public Information at the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs and UPDF.
The UPDF said it remains committed to ensuring that retirement is conducted in a dignified and transparent manner, reflecting the institution’s appreciation for the service of its personnel.
The August retirement exercise follows a series of retirement ceremonies conducted by the UPDF as part of its routine transition of personnel from active military service.