The Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) has elected 10 new military representatives to Parliament for the 2026–2031 term, in a high-level electoral exercise held at the Land Forces Headquarters in Bombo, Luweero District
The election was conducted on Wednesday 28th January 2026 by the Defence Forces Council Electoral College under the supervision of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), led by Chairperson Justice Simon Mugenyi Byabakama. The process concluded with a tightly managed tallying exercise before winners were officially declared.
Uganda’s Constitution recognizes the UPDF as one of the special interest groups represented in Parliament, alongside women representatives, youth, workers, and persons with disabilities.
The Newly Elected UPDF Members of Parliament
According to IEC Returning Officer Ms. Diana Kateeba Tumusiime, the following officers were elected to represent the UPDF in the 12th Parliament:
Lt Gen Sam Okiding – Deputy Chief of Defence Forces & Inspector General
Lt Gen Sam Kavuma – Deputy Coordinator, Operation Wealth Creation
Lt Gen James Mugira – Managing Director, National Enterprise Corporation
Maj Gen Henry Masiko – Joint Staff Political Commissar
Maj Gen James Kinalwa – Joint Staff Human Resource Management
Maj Gen Joseph Ssemwanga – Deputy Commander, Land Forces
Brig Gen David Gonyi – Chief of Staff, Air Force
Female Representatives:
Col Night Ikiriza – Special Forces Command
Col Sylvia Meeme – Military Police
Col Christine Nekesa – Air Force
Their election secures continued military representation in Uganda’s legislative process for the next five years.
Museveni Chairs Defence Forces Council
The Defence Forces Council meeting was chaired by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, in his role as Commander-in-Chief of the UPDF.
Council members included UPDF High Command officials, senior officers who served as of January 26, 1986, chiefs and directors of military services, training commandants, brigade and battalion commanders, the Defence Forces Sergeant Major, and regional reserve force commanders.
In a related ceremony earlier at the same event, President Museveni commissioned three officer cadets who completed military training abroad in December 2025:
2Lt Bazalaki Tikula – Trained in Sri Lanka
2Lt Moses Ekoi – Trained in Tanzania
2Lt Piloya Vivian – Trained in Tanzania
The UPDF congratulated the newly elected and re-elected representatives to the 12th Parliament, wishing them success in their new legislative duties.