The Uganda People's Defence Force (UPDF), previously known as the National Resistance Army, is the armed forces of Uganda. From 2007 to 2011, the International Institute for Strategic Studies estimated the UPDF had a total strength of 40,000–45,000, consisting of land forces and an air wing. Recruitment to the forces is done annually.
Muhoozi Kainerugaba is a Ugandan military officer. He is the son of President Yoweri Museveni and currently serves as the Chief of Defence Forces of the Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF). He is also the chairman of the Patriotic League of Uganda, a pressure group lobbying for his presidency.
Major General Fredrick Mugisha, commonly referred to as Fred Mugisha, is a senior military officer in the Uganda People's Defence Force and assumed command over AMISOM as the fourth commander on 15 June 2011.
General David Rubakuba Muhoozi is a Ugandan military officer and lawyer. Since 6 June 2021, he has been serving as the Minister of State for Internal Affairs, replacing Obiga Kania.
Leopold Eric Kyanda, is a Major General in the Uganda People's Defence Force (UPDF). Effective 24 June 2021, he serves as the Joint Chief of Staff of the UPDF. He replaced Lieutenant General Joseph Musanyufu who was redeployed to the civil service.
Lieutenant General Andrew Gutti is a Ugandan military officer. He was the chairman of the General Court Martial of the Uganda People's Defence Force until 3 August 2022, when he handed over office to Brigadier General Robert Freeman Mugabe. Gutti was appointed to that position in May 2016, replacing the late Major General Levi Karuhanga.
Major General Richard Prit Olum, commonly known as Dick Olum, is a military officer in the Uganda People's Defence Force (UPDF). Effective 13 May 2024, he serves as commander of the "South Sudan Stabilization Mechanism", an observer force to ensure adherence to the peace agreements. Before that, he served as the Ugandan commander of the UPDF forces in the Democratic Republic of the Congo under the joint Uganda/DRC mission code named Operation Shujaa. He simultaneously served as the commander of the UPDF Mountain Division, based in Fort Portal, Kabarole District at the base of the Rwenzori Mountains. His appointment was made on 12 October 2022.
Lieutenant General Samuel Kavuma, commonly known as Sam Kavuma, is a Ugandan senior military officer. Since March 2024, he has bene serving as the Commander of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS). Before that, from 24 June 2021 until 24 March 2024, he was the deputy coordinator of Operation Wealth Creation, a presidential appointment by Yoweri Museveni Immediately before that position, he served as the deputy commander of the Uganda People's Defence Force Air Force. Before that, Kavuma served as the Commander of the Uganda People's Defence Force Contingent in Somalia, as part of the African Union Mission to Somalia (AMISOM). He was appointed to that position in October 2014. He replaced Brigadier General Dick Olum, who served in that position from September 2013 until October 2014.
The Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs (MODVA) is a government ministry responsible for the national defence and security of Uganda. In this capacity, its role is to preserve, defend and protect the people, property, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Uganda, contributing to regional stability and supporting international peace initiatives.
James Nakibus Lakara, commonly known as Nakibus Lakara, is a Lieutenant General in the Uganda People's Defence Force (UPDF). Since June 2016, he has been the commander of the Uganda Rapid Deployment Capability Centre based in Jinja in the Eastern Region of Uganda. From April 2015 until June 2016, he served as the deputy force commander of the African Union Mission to Somalia (AMISOM) and was in charge of logistical support. From July 2013 until April 2015, he served as the commanding officer of the UPDF 3rd Division, based in Moroto.
Lieutenant General Charles Lwanga Lutaaya, is a senior Ugandan military officer in the Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF). He is a presidential advisor on matters of Airforce. Before that, he was the Commander of the UPDF Air Force after having served as Deputy Commander of the UPDF Air Force.
Peter Elwelu is a Lieutenant General in the Ugandan military, known formally as the Uganda People's Defence Force (UPDF). Since 24 June 2021, he has been the Deputy Chief of the Defense Forces of the UPDF. He was appointed to that position on 24 June 2021. Since 9 January 2017, he has served as the commander of the land forces, which is the fourth-highest position in the UPDF hierarchy. From June 2013 until January 2017, he was the commander of the UPDF 2nd division, based in Mbarara, the largest town in Uganda's Western Region. Elwelu is most known for the Kasese massacre in which, according to Human Rights Watch, 153 people, including children, were killed. "They deserved to die," he told The Observer in May 2021.
Major General Richard Otto is a senior military officer in the Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF). Since 13 May 2024, he has been the Commander of the UPDF Mountain Division and also Commander of "Operation Shujaa", a joint undertaking by the UPDF and the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC) to neutralize the Allied Democratic Front (ADF) terrorist organization in the Eastern DR Congo. Immediately prior to his current assignment, Richard Otto was the chairman of the "South Sudan Peace Mechanism", an IGAD-sponsored observer mechanism, to ensure adherence to the peace treaties by the protagonists.
Colonel Edith Nakalema, is a Ugandan military officer, who graduated in August 2018 from the Higher Command and Staff Course at the Joint Services Command and Staff College, in Watchfield, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom, where she had been admitted in 2017.
Major General Steven Sabiiti Muzeyi, is a Ugandan military officer and police officer, who served as the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIGP) of the Uganda Police Force, the second-highest rank in that branch of the Ugandan government, from 4 March 2018 until 16 December 2020. He replaced Martin Okoth Ochola, who was promoted to Inspector General of Police. Immediately prior to his assignment as DIGP, Sabiiti, at the rank of brigadier, served as the Commander of the Military Police of the Uganda People's Defence Force (UPDF). Sabiiti was replaced as DIGP by Major General Paul Lokech. On Friday, 5 February 2021, Major General Sabiiti Muzeyi was appointed General Manager Luwero Industries, a subsidiary of National Enterprise Corporation (NEC).
Brigadier Michael Nyarwa, is a Ugandan military officer in the Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF). Effective 2009, he is the Commander of UPDF Marine Forces, a specialized division of the Ugandan military, responsible for the security, safe travel and responsible use of Uganda's waterways, including lakes and rivers.
Paul L'Okech was a senior military officer at the rank of Lieutenant General in the Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF), who was appointed Deputy Inspector General of Police of the Uganda Police Force on 16 December 2020. Between November 2017 and December 2019, he served on special assignment "to monitor on behalf of the guarantors of the South Sudan peace process, the assembling, screening, demobilization and integration of the armed forces of South Sudan".
James Birungi, is a Major General in the Uganda People's Defence Force Air Force (UPDAF). He serves as the Chief of Military Intelligence in the UPDF, effective January 2022.
Brigadier Charity Bainababo is a Ugandan military officer, legislator and former policewoman. She is the immediate past deputy commander of the Uganda Special Forces Command, the special military unit of the UPDF responsible for presidential and first family security. She also represents the Uganda People's Defence Force (UPDF) in the 11th Ugandan parliament.
Brigadier General Wilberforce Sserunkuma, is a Ugandan military officer in the Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF). Effective January 2025, he is the commander of the Third Infantry Division of the UPDF, based in Moroto, in the Karamoja sub-region, in northeastern Uganda.
