The Chief of Defence Forces and Senior Presidential Advisor on Special Operations, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has promoted Brigadier General Felix Kulaigye, the Director of Defence Public Information of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces, to the rank of Acting Major General.
According to a statement issued by the UPDF, Kulayigye’s promotion is a result of his “excellent long service and representation of UPDF in the public domain.”
Kulaigye has been serving as the Spokesperson of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) since February 2022, when he replaced Brigadier Flavia Byekwaso. This is his second tour of duty in the same post, having previously served from 2005 to 2013.
Prior to his current role, Kulaigye served as the Political Commissar of the UPDF and concurrently as a Member of Parliament, representing the UPDF.
Born in 1964 to Fredrick Semichacha and Regina Abagirinka in Gayaza Village, Masaka District, Kulaigye is the last-born of nine siblings. After his mother’s passing, he grew up in an orphanage in Rutshuru, Kisoro District.
Kulaigye attended several primary schools, completing his Primary Seven at St. Herman Nkoni Boys’ Primary School in Masaka. He later attended Kabalega Secondary School for his O-Level and Kololo High School for his A-Level.
He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Education from Makerere University in 1989 and later earned a Master of Arts in Economic Policy and Planning from the same university.
Kulaigye joined the UPDF in 1989, after completing his first university degree. He served as a platoon commander l against the Lord’s Resistance Army.
In 2016, he was elected to serve as a Member of Parliament representing the UPDF in the 10th Parliament. He also served in the Presidential Protection Unit, which is now part of the Special Forces Command (SFC).
In February 2019, Kulaigye was promoted from colonel to brigadier in a military promotions exercise that involved over 2,000 UPDF personnel.
Kulaigye is married to Justine Bagonza, and they have three daughters and two sons.