List Out: Katumba, Kandiho, Kyanda Among Top Generals Set To Retire Next Week

By Our Reporter

The Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) is set to officially retire 19 long-serving General Officers in a ceremony scheduled for Thursday, August 20, 2026, at State House Entebbe.

President and Commander-in-Chief of the UPDF, General Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, will preside over the retirement ceremony, which will mark the formal conclusion of the UPDF’s August 2026 retirement exercise.

Among the senior officers due to retire are Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala, Lt Gen. Charles Otema Awany, Lt Gen. Charles Angina, Maj Gen. Abel Kandiho, Maj Gen. Geofrey Katsigazi Tumusiime, Maj Gen. Apollo Kasiita-Gowa and Maj Gen. Leopold Eric Kyanda.

The list also includes Brig Gen. Edson Muhanguzi, Brig Gen. Sam Omara, Brig Gen. Fred Zakye, Brig Gen. Fred Rugadya Akiiki, Brig Gen. Mike Samuel Kisame, Brig Gen. Patrick Mwesigye and Brig Gen. Stephen Tumwesigye Kashure.

Completing the list are Brig Gen. Simon Nicholas Ocan, Brig Gen. Metland K. Bitumbika, Brig Gen. Charles Bakahumura, Brig Gen. Charles Asiimwe Kahangire and Brig Gen. Cyril Mawa Muhindo.

The retirement of the 19 General Officers will bring to a close the UPDF’s wider August 2026 send-off exercise, during which a total of 1,817 officers and militants are being retired.

The cohort comprises 19 General Officers, 229 Senior Officers, 205 Junior Officers and 1,364 Militants, according to the UPDF.

The Senior Officers, Junior Officers and Militants have been retired this week through ceremonies held at the Joint Services Headquarters in Mbuya and at various Service and Division Headquarters across the country.

The UPDF has described the retirement exercise as an opportunity to honour personnel who have dedicated their careers to safeguarding Uganda’s sovereignty, contributing to regional peace and upholding the institution’s values of discipline, patriotism and Pan-Africanism.

The force said the retirement of the officers and militants represents an honourable conclusion to years of military service while opening the way for them to begin new chapters in their lives.

The UPDF has further reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring a dignified and transparent retirement process that reflects the institution’s respect and appreciation for men and women who have served the country with loyalty, discipline and courage.

The State House ceremony on August 20 is therefore expected to serve as the final and most senior-level send-off for the 2026 retirement cohort, bringing together some of the UPDF’s longest-serving General Officers as they formally conclude their military careers.