The Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces through its Defence Forces Council electoral college has today elected the 10 military representatives for the upcoming term of parliament from 2026 – 2031. The UPDF, in accordance with the Constitution and the Parliamentary Elections Act is one of the special interest groups represented in the parliament of Uganda. The others are: district or city women representatives, workers representatives, youth representatives, and persons with disabilities.
The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) led by the Chairperson Justice Simon Mugenyi Byabakama presided over the election exercise held at the Land Forces headquarters in Bombo, Luweero district.
The IEC Returning Officer for the voting exercise Ms. Diana Kateeba Tumusiime announced the winning candidates after the tedious tallying process. The newly elected UPDF representatives in parliament are:
Lt Gen Sam Okiding, D/CDF & IG
Lt Gen Sam Kavuma, Dep Coord OWC
Lt Gen James Mugira, MD NEC
Maj Gen Henry Masiko, Joint Staff Political Commissar
Maj Gen James Kinalwa, Joint Staff HRM
Maj Gen Joseph Ssemwanga, Dep Comd Land Forces
Brig Gen David Gonyi, Chief of Staff Airforce
Col Night Ikiriza (female), SFC
Col Sylvia Meeme (female), Military Police
Col Christine Nekesa (female), Airforce
The Defence Forces Council meeting was chaired by the President and Commander-In-Chief of the UPDF, General (retired) Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. The members of the Defence Forces Council include Members of the UPDF High Command, persons who were senior officers of the army as at 26 January 1986, chiefs and directors of services, commandants of training institutions, brigade and battalion commanders and officers commanding equivalent units of the Defence Forces. Other members include the Defence Forces Sergeant Major, and regional reserve force commanders under the Reserve Forces.
Earlier at the same event, the President commissioned three Officer Cadets who completed their officer training from abroad in December 2025. They are 2Lt Bazalaki Tikula who trained in Sri Lanka, 2Lt Moses Ekoi and 2Lt Piloya Vivian both of whom trained in Tanzania.
The UPDF congratulates the newly elected and re-elected representatives to the 12th parliament and wishes them good luck in their tour of duty.
