KAMPALA, August 14, 2026 — Nineteen senior Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) General Officers are set to retire next week, bringing to an end the military’s August 2026 retirement exercise involving 1,817 personnel.
This development was revealed by Col. Chris Magezi, Acting Director of Defence Public Information at the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs (MODVA), in a statement issued on Friday.
The General Officers will be formally retired during a ceremony at State House Entebbe on Thursday, August 20, with President and Commander-in-Chief of the UPDF, Gen. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, expected to preside over the event.
The list of retiring generals includes Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala, Lt Gen. Charles Otema Awany, Lt Gen. Charles Angina, Maj Gen. Abel Kandiho, Maj Gen. Geofrey Katsigazi Tumusiime, Maj Gen. Apollo Kasiita-Gowa and Maj Gen. Leopold Eric Kyanda.
Also retiring are Brig Gen. Edson Muhanguzi, Brig Gen. Sam Omara, Brig Gen. Fred Zakye, Brig Gen. Fred Rugadya Akiiki, Brig Gen. Mike Samuel Kisame, Brig Gen. Patrick Mwesigye and Brig Gen. Stephen Tumwesigye Kashure.
The remaining officers are Brig Gen. Simon Nicholas Ocan, Brig Gen. Metland K. Bitumbika, Brig Gen. Charles Bakahumura, Brig Gen. Charles Asiimwe Kahangire and Brig Gen. Cyril Mawa Muhindo.
According to the UPDF, the retirement of the 19 General Officers will officially conclude the financial year 2026/27 retirement exercise, which has seen 1,817 personnel leave active service in August.
The cohort comprises 19 General Officers, 229 Senior Officers, 205 Junior Officers and 1,364 militants.
Senior and Junior Officers and militants were retired this week through ceremonies held at the UPDF Joint Services Headquarters in Mbuya and various Services and Division Headquarters across the country.
UPDF described the retiring personnel as officers and militants who had dedicated their careers to safeguarding Uganda’s sovereignty, contributing to regional peace and upholding the values of discipline, patriotism and Pan-Africanism.
“Their retirement marks an honourable conclusion to years of service and the beginning of new and productive chapters in their lives,” the UPDF said.
UPDF says it remains committed to a dignified and transparent retirement process as a way of recognising personnel who have served the country with loyalty and courage.
The retirement ceremony at State House Entebbe will therefore mark the culmination of this year’s military send-off exercise, with some of the UPDF’s most senior officers formally transitioning out of active service.
