The Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Senior Presidential Advisor for Special Operations (SPA/SO), General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has promoted Brigadier General Joseph Musoke Ssemwanga to the rank of Major General and appointed him the Deputy Commander of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) Land Forces.
The announcement was made on Saturday by the acting UPDF spokesperson, Col Chris Magezi.
“The appointment took effect in December 2025 after Major General Takirwa fell ill. Major General Ssemwanga replaces Major General Francis Takirwa (RIP) who passed away this [Saturday] morning after illness,”he said.
Ssemwanga formally replaces Takirwa who died on Saturday, February 7, 2026, at approximately 6:00 a.m. at the UPDF National Referral Hospital in Mbuya.
Col Magezi, stated that the 61-year-old senior officer succumbed to complications arising from a stroke. Magezi noted that the General had initially been admitted to Nakasero Hospital on December 9, 2025, and was transferred to the UPDF National Referral Hospital on Friday, February 6, 2026, for long-term care and management.
Major General Joseph Musoke Ssemwanga brings extensive operational and command experience to his new role.
Prior to his promotion, he was serving as the Contingent Commander of UPDF troops under the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM).
Before his deployment to Somalia towards the end of 2024, he commanded the UPDF’s 1st Infantry Division headquartered at Kakiri in Wakiso District.
