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.
The Internal Security Organisation (ISO) is the Uganda government's counter intelligence agency responsible for providing national security intelligence to Uganda's policy makers. It also engages in covert activities at the request of the President of Uganda. Founded in 1986, the organisation took over the duties first performed by Military Intelligence. Its headquarters are in Nakasero, Kampala.
Robert Kayanja is the founder and senior pastor of the Miracle Centre Cathedral, a megachurch in Kampala. He is also the founder and CEO of a Christian television channel, Channel 44 Television.
Henry Tumukunde is a politician and retired senior military officer of the Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF). He ran as an independent candidate for president in the 2021 Ugandan general election.
Ivan Koreta is a Ugandan retired military officer, diplomat and legislator. He is a former General in the Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) and a representative for the armed forces in the Parliament of Uganda; where he serves as a member of the Public Accounts Committee and the Committee on Presidential Affairs.
Major General Elly Kayanja, is a Ugandan military officer in the Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF). Effective September 2014, he is the Head of Operation Wealth Creation Programme, whose objective is to improve the standard of living of rural citizens, through farming. Previously, he served as the Deputy Director of National Intelligence, under General David Sejusa. Prior to that, he served as the Director General of the Internal Security Organisation.
Lieutenant General Kayanja Muhanga is a Ugandan army officer, who currently serves as Commander of Land Forces in UPDF. He was appointed to that position in October 2022 by the President of Uganda and Commander in chief of the UPDF, Yoweri Museveni. He previously served as commander of the Uganda People's Defence Force contingent in Eastern DRC under Operation Shujaa. He was appointed to that position in January 2021 by Yoweri Museveni, the Commander in Chief of the UPDF and the President of Uganda. Prior to that, Maj. General Muhanga served as the commandant of the military police within the UPDF.
Major General Moses Ddiba Ssentongo is a military officer in the Uganda People's Defence Force (UPDF). He is one of two deputy director generals of the National Enterprise Corporation (NEC), the investment vehicle of the UPDF. He was appointed to that position in March 2016. Before that, from June 2013 until June 2014, he served as the chairman of the UPDF General Court Martial, one of the highest military courts in the UPDF. Before that, Ssentongo served as the political commissar of the UPDF. He replaced Fred Tolit, who was appointed as Uganda’s Defense Attaché to the headquarters of the African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
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.
Major General Innocent Felix Oula is a senior army officer in the Uganda People's Defence Force (UPDF). As of March 2020, he serves as the Head of Civil Military Cooperation. He concurrently serves as one of the UPDF representatives to the Parliament of Uganda. He was elected to that position in January 2014, replacing renegade General David Sejusa, who was expelled from Parliament.
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 Mugira is a lieutenant general in the Ugandan army. He is the managing director and chief executive officer of the National Enterprise Corporation (NEC), the business arm of the Uganda People's Defence Force (UPDF). He was appointed to that position in April 2015. He concurrently serves as the managing director of Luweero Defence Industries Limited, the small-arms manufacturer owned by the UPDF. He has served in that capacity since 2011. From 2008 until 2011, at the rank of brigadier, he served as the director general of the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence, a division of the UPDF. Before that, he served as the commanding officer of the UPDF Armored Brigade, based in Masaka.
Colonel Frank Kaka Bagyenda, is a Ugandan retired military officer in the Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF). Effective 20 October 2020, He is Uganda's Ambassador to Angola following his appointment by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. He is the former Director General of the Internal Security Organisation, Uganda government's counter intelligence agency, responsible for providing national security intelligence to Uganda's policy makers. A position he held between January 2017 to October 2020.
Hudson Mukasa is a Major General in the Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF). Since June 2016, he has been the Military Attaché to Uganda's Embassy to Kenya, based in Nairobi. Before that he served as the Military Attaché at Uganda's Embassy to Burundi, based in Bujumbura.
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".
Lieutenant General Charles Okidi, is a senior Ugandan military officer in the Uganda People's Defence Force (UPDF). He is the Commander of the UPDF Air Force, effective November 2022. He replaced Lieutenat General Charles Lutaaya who was appointed a presidential advisor. Before that, from 11 December 2019 until 7 November 2022, he was the Chief of Staff of the UPDF Air Force. Prior to that, he was the Director Operations at the UPDF Air Force Headquarters at Entebbe.
Major General Abel Kandiho, is a Ugandan military officer.He was appointed Senior Presidential Advisor on Friday 17th May,2024.He had previously served as the Joint Chief of Staff in the Uganda Police Force, effective 9 February 2022.
Charles Oluka is an officer at the rank of Brigadier general in the Uganda People's Defence Force (UPDF). He is the Director General of the Internal Security Organisation, effective 8 October 2020. Before that, he served as the Director of technical services at the spy agency until 2018.
Brigadier General Robert Freeman Mugabe is a Ugandan military officer in the Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF). Effective 12 July 2022, he is the Chairman of the UPDF General Court Martial, the highest court of military justice in the country. Before that, he served as the adjutant general of Bombo Military Barracks, the headquarters of the UPDF Land Forces, located in Bombo, Uganda.
