The Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) has elected 10 military representatives to Parliament following a vote by the Defence Forces Council electoral college, ahead of the 2026–2031 parliamentary term.
The election, conducted in accordance with the Constitution of Uganda and the Parliamentary Elections Act, was held on Wednesday at the Land Forces Headquarters in Bombo, Luweero District.
The UPDF is one of the country’s constitutionally recognized special interest groups represented in Parliament, alongside women representatives, workers, youth, and persons with disabilities.
The exercise was supervised by the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), led by its Chairperson, Justice Simon Mugenyi Byabakama. After a rigorous and closely monitored tallying process, the IEC Returning Officer, Ms. Diana Kateeba Tumusiime, officially declared the winners.
Those elected to represent the UPDF in the 12th Parliament are: Lt Gen Sam Okiding, Deputy Chief of Defence Forces and Inspector General; Lt Gen Sam Kavuma, Deputy Coordinator of Operation Wealth Creation; Lt Gen James Mugira, Managing Director of the National Enterprise Corporation; Maj Gen Henry Masiko, Joint Staff Political Commissar; Maj Gen James Kinalwa, Joint Staff Human Resource Management; Maj Gen Joseph Ssemwanga, Deputy Commander of Land Forces; Brig Gen David Gonyi, Chief of Staff of the Air Force; Col Night Ikiriza of the Special Forces Command; Col Sylvia Meeme of the Military Police; and Col Christine Nekesa of the Air Force.
The Defence Forces Council meeting was chaired by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the Commander-in-Chief of the UPDF. The council brings together members of the UPDF High Command, senior officers who served in the army as of January 26, 1986, chiefs and directors of services, commanders of training institutions, brigade and battalion commanders, as well as the Defence Forces Sergeant Major and regional reserve force commanders.
Earlier in the day, President Museveni also commissioned three officer cadets who completed their military training abroad in December 2025. The newly commissioned officers are Second Lieutenant Bazalaki Tikula, trained in Sri Lanka, and Second Lieutenants Moses Ekoi and Piloya Vivian, both trained in Tanzania.
The UPDF congratulated the newly elected representatives and wished them success as they prepare to serve in the 12th Parliament.