For the first time in recent history, the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) did not seek election as a Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) Member of Parliament. In a departure from past practice, the current CDF and First Son, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, did not offer himself for election in the 2026 polls.
On Wednesday, the UPDF, through its Defence Forces Council (DFC) electoral college, elected 10 military representatives to Parliament for the 2026–2031 term.
It remains unclear why Gen Muhoozi chose not to contest, as neither he nor the UPDF has issued an official explanation. However, it is worth recalling a previous incident in which the CDF openly criticised Members of Parliament after declining a summons to appear before the Defence and Internal Affairs Committee.
“I will never appear before parliamentary clowns,” the ‘Tweeting General’ wrote on his X (formerly Twitter) account. “Instead, I will arrest them all.”
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, Gen (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.
