The Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) has elected 10 military representatives to serve in Parliament for the 2026–2031 term, reaffirming the army’s constitutional role as one of Uganda’s special interest groups in the legislature.
The election was conducted on January 28, 2026, through the Defence Forces Council electoral college and presided over by the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) at the Land Forces Headquarters in Bombo, Luweero District.
IEC Chairperson Justice Simon Mugenyi Byabakama oversaw the exercise, while the Commission’s Returning Officer, Ms. Diana Kateeba Tumusiime, announced the results after the tallying process.
The elected UPDF representatives 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 UPDF is represented in Parliament under provisions of the Constitution and the Parliamentary Elections Act. Other special interest groups include district or city women representatives, workers, youth, and persons with disabilities.
The Defence Forces Council meeting was chaired by the President and Commander-In-Chief of the UPDF, General (retired) Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. Council membership comprises UPDF High Command members, senior officers as of January 26, 1986, chiefs and directors of services, commandants of training institutions, brigade and battalion commanders, the Defence Forces Sergeant Major, and regional reserve force commanders.
Earlier at the same event, President Museveni commissioned three officer cadets who completed military training abroad in December 2025. They included 2Lt Bazalaki Tikula, who trained in Sri Lanka, and 2Lt Moses Ekoi and 2Lt Piloya Vivian, who trained in Tanzania.
The UPDF congratulated the newly elected and re-elected representatives and wished them success in their service during the 12th Parliament.
