Brig. Felix Kulayigye has been shortlisted to deputize Ofwono Opondo, the Executive Director of Media Center
The position fell vacant following the demise of Col. (RTD) Shaban Bantariza on October 27 last year at Mulago where he had been admitted battling COVID-19.
According to a highly placed source, Museveni tasked Intelligence services late last year to choose and submit names of potential candidates who exude similar character like for Bantariza in terms of rhetoric and defending government.
The two heads of media center are the official spokespersons of government.
“Museveni selected Kulayigye as the possible successor of Bantariza since he is conversant with the task of speaking and strongly defending government,” a source said.
Like Bantariza, Kulayigye served as the army publicist for some years before he was appointed Chief Political Commissar of the UPDF.
Speaking to this website on what could be his new job, Kulayigye said he was unaware of this development, however, he indicated that he is a serving officer ready to work in any position given to him by the Fountain of Honour.
“I don’t know about this rumour. But I am an officer and ready to serve where I am taken,” he said.
Media Center ED Mr Opondo didn’t respond to our calls and Whatsapp messages sent to him.
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Kulayigye was born circa 1964 to Fredrick Semichacha and Regina Abagirinka in Gayaza Village, in Masaka District.
The family migrated from Kisoro District, eventually settling in present-day Bukomansimbi District. He is the last-born in a family of nine siblings.
His mother died soon after Kulayigye was born and he grew up in an orphanage in Rutshuru in Kisoro District.
He attended several primary schools, completing P7 at St. Herman Nkoni Boys’ Primary School in Masaka. He attended Kabalega Secondary School for O-Level and Kololo High School for A-Level.
Later, he entered Makerere University, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Education, in 1989. Still later, he studied for a Master of Arts in Economic Policy and Planning, also at Makerere University.
He joined Uganda’s armed forces in 1989, after completing his first university degree. He saw combat in Northern Uganda against the Lord’s Resistance Army. While there, he served as a platoon commander. Later, from 2005 to 2013, he served as the UPDF Spokesperson.
Still later, he served as the Chief Political Commissar.
In 2016, he was elected to serve as a Member of Parliament representing the UPDF in the 10th Parliament (2016 to 2021).
He spent some time in the Presidential Protection Unit, which today is part of the Special Forces Command in the UPDF.
Felix Kulayigye is married to Justine Bagonza and together are the parents of three daughters and two sons.
In February 2019, he was promoted from the rank of Colonel to Brigadier, in a military promotions exercise that involved more than 2,000 UPDF men and women.
Felix Kulayigye is married to Justine Bagonza and together are the parents of three daughters and two sons.
