Representatives of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) were officially sworn in to serve in the 12th Parliament of Uganda during a ceremony that commenced on 13 to 15 May 2026 at Parliament House in Kampala.
The swearing-in follows President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s swearing -in and inauguration ceremony for another term at Kololo Independence Grounds on 12 May 2026.
In his inaugural address, President Museveni reiterated his long-standing commitment to cooperating with neighboring countries and continuous creation of avenues for the creation of wealth among Ugandans.
His re-election is a symbol of broad-based democracy, pointing out that Uganda’s political system had been designed to ensure representation for all sections of society.
Since the promulgation of the 1995 Constitution under the National Resistance Movement, President Museveni has consistently agitated for the inclusion of Special Interest Groups in Parliament to guarantee that workers, youth, persons with disabilities, women, older persons and the armed forces have a direct voice in legislation and national decision-making.
Representing the UPDF leadership, Deputy Chief of Defence Forces and one of the newly elected UPDF Members of Parliament, Lt Gen Sam Okiding, expressed gratitude to the President and Commander-in-Chief of the UPDF, H.E. Gen (Rtd) Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, for his visionary leadership in stabilising Uganda and initiating avenues for socio-economic transformation to achieve prosperity.
He also commended the Chief of Defence Forces, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, and the entire UPDF leadership for maintaining peace, security and stability across the country and beyond.
Lt Gen Okiding congratulated the newly sworn-in Members of Parliament and emphasised the importance of understanding and prioritising the country’s key national objectives.
“Our responsibility is to ensure that Uganda remains stable, fight the common enemy which is poverty so that our people are uplifted, and also combat corruption for the prosperity of our nation,” he said.
He further pledged that the UPDF representatives would serve with integrity, truth and commitment while representing both the UPDF and the people of Uganda in Parliament.
Lt Gen Sam Okiding also congratulated his fellow UPDF representatives and swore to represent the UPDF and the country with truth and to uphold righteousness.
Among those sworn in were:
– Lt Gen Sam Kavuma, Commander of the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM)
– Lt Gen James Mujira, Managing Director of the National Enterprise Corporation (NEC)
– Maj Gen Henry Matsiko, Joint Staff Political Commissariat
– Maj Gen James Kinalwa, Joint Staff Human Resource Management
– Maj Gen Joseph Ssemwanga, Deputy Commander Land Force
– Brig Gen David Gonyi, Chief of Staff, Uganda Peoples’ Defence Air Force (UPDF).
– Col Night Ikiriza, Director Administration Human Resource in the Special Forces Command
– Col Sylvia Meme
– Col Christine Nekesa, Uganda Peoples’ Defence Air Force
All will represent the UPDF in the 12th Parliament.
The swearing-in marks the beginning of the UPDF representatives’ legislative role in supporting national development, security and good governance in Uganda in the 12th Parliament.
