The Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Thomas Tayebwa, has hailed the late former Deputy Commander of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) Land Forces, Major General Francis Takirwa, as a deeply patriotic officer whose death is a great loss to both the country and the military fraternity.
In a message shared on his X (formerly Twitter) account on Sunday, Tayebwa reflected on his personal experience working with Gen. Takirwa during the 10th Parliament.
“A great loss to the country and the UPDF fraternity. I worked with him on the natural resources committee of the 10th parliament where he represented the army. Very very patriotic,” Tayebwa wrote.
Major General Francis Takirwa passed away on Saturday, February 7, 2026, at the age of 61.
According to the Acting Director of Defence Public Information (DDPI), Colonel Chris Magezi, he succumbed to complications arising from a stroke at around 6am at the UPDF National Referral Hospital in Mbuya.
Gen. Takirwa’s death has sent shockwaves through the defence forces and national leadership, marking the end of a distinguished military career spanning more than three decades.
He joined the UPDF in 1989 and steadily rose through the ranks, earning a reputation as a disciplined, professional, and committed officer.
His extensive training included the Junior Command and Staff Course at Uganda Junior Staff College in 1994, the Company Commanders Course at Tanzania Military Academy in 1998, the Army Senior Command Course at Nanjing Army Command College in China in 2006, a Diploma in African Strategic Studies from the Nasser Higher Military Academy in Egypt in 2009, and the Executive National Security Programme at the South African National Defence College.
Operationally, Gen. Takirwa served under the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) between 2011 and 2012, contributing to regional peace and stability.
Domestically, he held senior command and administrative positions, including Chief of Education, Sports, and Culture, and Commander of the 2nd UPDF Division.
He was promoted to Colonel in 2014, later elevated to Brigadier General, and attained the rank of Major General in 2021. In 2022, he was appointed Deputy Commander of the UPDF Land Forces, a position he held until his passing.
Following Gen. Takirwa’s death, the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Senior Presidential Advisor for Special Operations (SPA/SO), General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, promoted Brigadier General Joseph Musoke Ssemwanga to Major General and appointed him Deputy Commander of the UPDF Land Forces.
The appointment had taken effect in December 2025 after Gen Takirwa fell ill.
Funeral and burial arrangements are expected to be announced in due course.
