The Deputy Commander of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) Land Forces, Maj Gen Francis Takirwa, has died.
This website has learnt that Maj Gen Takirwa passed away in the early hours of Saturday morning.
Whereas deatails surrounding his death remain scanty , it is said he has been sick for some time.
Maj Gen Takirwa, a career military officer, had served in the UPDF for more than three decades, rising through the ranks due to what colleagues described as disciplined and diligent service.
Biography
Born on November 7, 1965, Maj Gen Takirwa enlisted in the UPDF in 1989 after completing his secondary education at Mbarara High School.
In 1994, he undertook the Junior Command and Staff Course at the Uganda Junior Staff College in Jinja. He later completed the Company Commanders Course at the Tanzania Military Academy in Monduli in 1998.
In 2006, he attended the Army Senior Command Course at Nanjing Army Command College in Nanjing, China. He subsequently obtained a Diploma in African Strategic Studies from the Nasser Higher Military Academy in Giza, Egypt, in 2009. He also completed an Executive National Security Programme at the South African National Defence College.
Maj Gen Takirwa served under the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) between 2011 and 2012. He also previously served as the UPDF Chief of Education, Sports and Culture, commander of the 2nd UPDF Division, and commander of the 307 Brigade in Western Uganda.
By 2014, Takirwa had risen to the rank of Colonel before later being promoted to Brigadier. In April 2021, he was elevated to the rank of Major General, the third-highest rank in the Ugandan military.
In December 2022, he was appointed Deputy Commander of the UPDF Land Forces, a position he held until his death.
The UPDF is yet to issue an official statement detailing the cause of death or funeral arrangements.
