Nineteen senior Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) generals are set to retire next week in a ceremony at State House Entebbe, formally closing the army’s August retirement exercise.
The retirement ceremony will be held on Thursday, August 20, 2026, with President Yoweri Museveni, the Commander-in-Chief of the UPDF, expected to preside over the function.
Among the generals due to retire is Gen Edward Katumba Wamala, a former Chief of Defence Forces and now Minister of Works and Transport, whose retirement brings to an end 47 years of military service.
Other senior officers on the retirement list are 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.
The list also includes 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.
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 complete the list of generals retiring in the 2026/27 financial year.
The retirement of the generals will bring the total number of UPDF personnel retired this month to 1,817.
The cohort comprises 19 general officers, 229 senior officers, 205 junior officers and 1,364 militants.
The senior and junior officers, together with the militants, have been retiring this week at the Joint Services Headquarters in Mbuya and various service and division headquarters across the country.
The UPDF said the retirement exercise is part of its established process of honouring personnel who have completed their service.
In a statement issued by Col Chris Magezi, Acting Director of Defence Public Information, the army commended the retiring officers and militants for their service to the country.
“The UPDF acknowledges and appreciates the distinguished and dedicated service of the officers and militants, who have dedicated their careers to safeguarding Uganda’s sovereignty, contributing to regional peace, and upholding the values of discipline, patriotism and Pan-Africanism,” Magezi said.
The UPDF said the retirement marks the end of the officers’ active service and the beginning of new chapters in their lives.
The institution also said it remains committed to ensuring a dignified and transparent retirement process for personnel who have served the country.
The retirement of the 19 generals comes amid a broader generational transition within the UPDF, with several senior officers who have held influential command positions over the years leaving active military service.
