Tragedy has once again struck the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) following the sudden death of Major General Deus Sande, the Commander of the UPDF Armoured Division based in Masaka.
The shocking development was confirmed by UPDF spokesperson Col. Chris Magezi, who revealed that Maj. Gen. Sande passed away in the early hours of Tuesday morning after developing breathing complications while en route to Kampala.
According to Col. Magezi , the senior army officer was travelling to attend the funeral service of his colleague, Major General Francis Takirwa, scheduled to take place at All Saints Cathedral in Nakasero. Maj. Gen. Takirwa died on Saturday, February 7, 2026, after a period of illness.
“Tragedy has struck the UPDF family again. With deep sorrow, we confirm the sudden passing of the UPDF Armoured Division Commander (Masaka), Major General Deus Sande, early this morning at around 3:45am in Mpigi,” Col. Magezi wrote on his X (formerly Twitter) account.
He added that Sande developed serious breathing complications along the way and was rushed to a health facility in Mpigi, where medical efforts to resuscitate him were unsuccessful.
“The exact cause of death will be established later,” Magezi noted, before extending condolences to the fallen general’s family, relatives, friends, and the wider UPDF fraternity.
Maj. Gen. Deus Sande was a key figure within the UPDF, commanding mechanised forces in central Uganda. His role placed him at the heart of national security operations in a region often critical to political stability.
However, Sande was also a controversial figure in public discourse. During the 2020 election period, some of his remarks were widely interpreted as partisan, with critics accusing him of openly aligning with the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM). The comments reignited debate about the military’s role in politics and its relationship with opposition forces.
Following the announcement of his death, reactions on social media were sharply divided. While fellow soldiers, government officials, and supporters poured out messages of condolence, a section of the public expressed anger and bitterness, citing long-standing grievances over alleged UPDF abuses against opposition supporters.
The mixed reactions have once again highlighted deep political and social divisions within the country, even in moments of national mourning.
As the UPDF prepares to lay yet another senior officer to rest, the deaths of Maj. Gen. Deus Sande and Maj. Gen. Francis Takirwa within days of each other mark a dark and painful chapter for the military establishment.
May their souls rest in peace.
