Chief of Defence Forces (Uganda)

Chief of the Uganda People's Defence Forces
Incumbent General Muhoozi Kainerugaba since 22 March 2024
Uganda Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs
Reports to	Minister of Defence
Appointer	President of Uganda
Precursor	Commander of the NRA
Formation	1989
First holder	Mugisha Muntu

The Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) is the professional head of the Uganda People's Defence Forces. He is responsible for the administration and the operational control of the Ugandan military. The position was established after the National Resistance Army was reconstituted as the Uganda People's Defence Forces, three years after the NRA's victory in the Ugandan Bush War in 1986. The current CDF is General Muhoozi Kainerugaba.

List of Chiefs

Commander of the National Resistance Army

No.	Portrait	Commander of the NRA	Took office	Left office	Time in office	Ref.
1		Seguya, AhmmedMajor Ahmmed Seguya (?–1983)	1981	1983 †	1–2 years	[1][2]
2		Magara, SamLieutenant Colonel Sam Magara (?–1984)	1983	1984 †	0–1 years	[3]
3		Magara, SamGeneral Elly Tumwine (1954–2022)	1984	1987	2–3 years	–
4		Saleh, SalimGeneral Salim Saleh (born 1960)	1987	1989	1–2 years	–

Chief of Defence Force

No.	Portrait	Chief of Defence Force	Took office	Left office	Time in office	Ref.
1		Muntu, MugishaMajor general Mugisha Muntu (born 1958)	1989	1998	8–9 years	–
2		Odongo, JejeGeneral Jeje Odongo (born 1951)	1998	2001	2–3 years	–
3		Kazini, JamesMajor general James Kazini (1957–2009)	2001	2003	1–2 years	[4][5]
4		Nyakairima, ArondaGeneral Aronda Nyakairima (1959–2015)	2003	2013	9–10 years	[6][7]
5		Wamala, KatumbaGeneral Katumba Wamala (born 1956)	23 May 2013	9 January 2017	3 years, 7 months	[8]
5		Muhoozi, DavidGeneral David Muhoozi (born 1965)	9 January 2017	24 June 2021	4 years, 5 months	[9]
6		Muhoozi, DavidLieutenant general Wilson Mbadi (born 1962)	24 June 2021	22 March 2024	2 years, 8 months	[10]
7		Kainerugaba, MuhooziLieutenant general Muhoozi Kainerugaba (born 1974)	22 March 2024	Incumbent	7 months	[11]

References

1. Mucunguzi, Julius (13 March 2002). "Uganda: Government to Help Family of First NRA Commander". AllAfrica. Retrieved 6 September 2018.
2. Makanga, Gook (14 February 2005). "[Ugnet] Wherein lies the truth? Who killed or how did Magara et al die". mail-archive.com. Ugandanet. Retrieved 6 September 2018.
3. Vision Reporter (5 February 2005). "Who was Magara?". New Vision. Retrieved 6 September 2018.
4. Kazini Attained High Office in UPDF Despite Limited Formal Education
5. General Kazini Killed By Girlfriend
6. Musoke, Ronald (24 May 2013). "Gen. Aronda Nyakairima new Internal Affairs Minister as Museveni reshuffles Cabinet". The Independent (Uganda). Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 12 September 2015.
7. Newvision (12 September 2015). "Minister Aronda Nyakairima dies at 56". New Vision. Kampala. Retrieved 16 September 2015.
8. Tugume, John (24 May 2013). "General Katumba Wamala To Head The Uganda Army". Daily Monitor. Archived from the original on 13 January 2017. Retrieved 12 May 2014.
9. Bwambale, Taddeo (10 January 2017). "Muhoozi replaces Katumba as army chief". New Vision. Kampala. Retrieved 10 June 2017.
10. VINAS (24 June 2021). "Lt Gen Wilson New CDF As Museveni's Son Is Transferred". VINAS Businesses. Retrieved 24 June 2021.
11. "Museveni appoints his son Gen Muhoozi as Chief of Defence Forces". nation.africa. Reuters. 22 March 2024. Retrieved 22 March 2024.