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 Deputy Commander of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) Land Forces.
The appointment took effect in December 2025 following the illness of Major General Francis Takirwa, whom Major General Ssemwanga now replaces Major General Takirwa passed away this morning after a prolonged illness.
The development was confirmed by the acting UPDF spokesperson, Col Chris Magezi on Saturday.
Until his appointment, Major General Ssemwanga was serving as the Contingent Commander of UPDF troops under the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM).
Prior to his deployment to Somalia towards the end of 2024, he served as the Commander of the 1st Infantry Division, headquartered in Kakiri, Wakiso District.
