By Kabuye Ronald
The Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF), through its Defence Forces Council (DFC) electoral college, on Wednesday elected 10 military representatives to Parliament for the 2026–2031 term.
The UPDF is one of the constitutionally recognised special interest groups represented in the Parliament of Uganda, alongside district and city women representatives, workers’ representatives, youth representatives, and persons with disabilities, in accordance with the Constitution and the Parliamentary Elections Act.
The election exercise was presided over by the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), led by its Chairperson, Justice Simon Mugenyi Byabakama, and was held at the Land Forces Headquarters in Bombo, Luweero District.
The IEC Returning Officer, Ms Diana Kateeba Tumusiime, announced the successful candidates after a lengthy tallying process. The newly elected UPDF representatives to Parliament are:
- Lt Gen Sam Okiding – Deputy Chief of Defence Forces (D/CDF) and Inspector General
- Lt Gen Sam Kavuma – Deputy Coordinator, Operation Wealth Creation (OWC)
- Lt Gen James Mugira – Managing Director, National Enterprise Corporation (NEC)
- Maj Gen Henry Masiko – UPDF Joint Staff Political Commissar
- Maj Gen James Kinalwa – UPDF Joint Staff, Human Resource Management
- Maj Gen Joseph Ssemwanga – Deputy Commander, Land Forces
- Brig Gen David Gonyi – Chief of Staff, Air Force
- Col Night Ikiriza (Female) – Special Forces Command
- Col Sylvia Meeme (Female) – Military Police
- Col Christine Nekesa (Female) – UPDF Air Force
The Defence Forces Council meeting was chaired by the President and Commander-in-Chief of the UPDF, General (Rtd) Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. The Council comprises members of the UPDF High Command, senior officers who served as of 26 January 1986, chiefs and directors of services, commandants of training institutions, brigade and battalion commanders, and officers commanding equivalent units. Other members include the Defence Forces Sergeant Major and regional Reserve Forces commanders.
Earlier at the same event, President Museveni commissioned three officer cadets who completed their officer training abroad in December 2025. These are 2Lt Bazalaki Tikula, who trained in Sri Lanka, and 2Lt Moses Ekoi and 2Lt Piloya Vivian, both of whom trained in Tanzania.
Youth Member of Parliament Elections
Meanwhile, the IEC also conducted regional youth Member of Parliament elections, in which the National Resistance Movement (NRM) won all positions. Begire Samuel was elected for the Central Region, Elma Kapel Challa for the Northern Region, Wanyama Judas Thadeo for the Eastern Region, and Mwine Tumwebaze for the Western Region.
