PROFILE: Who is Maj Gen Ssemwanga, New Deputy Commander Land Forces, Replacing Late Maj Gen Francis Takirwa?

Hours after the passing of Maj Gen Francis Takirwa, Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and senior presidential advisor for special operations Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba promoted Joseph Musoke Ssemwanga to the rank of Major General and appointed him Deputy Commander of the UPDF Land Forces.

So, who exactly is Maj Gen Joseph Musoke Ssemwanga, the new Deputy Commander of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) Land Forces.

Ssemwanga is a seasoned military officer with extensive experience in command and operations. Before his current appointment, he served as the Contingent Commander of UPDF troops under the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), where he oversaw counter-insurgency and stabilization operations.

He also previously served as the Commander of first infantry division. Ssemwanga commanded the first Infantry Division, headquartered in Kakiri, Wakiso District, responsible for defending the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area and key installations.

For his AUSSOM Deployment, now Maj Gen Joseph Musoke Ssemwanga led UPDF troops in Somalia, reinforcing his reputation as a capable commander in multinational forces, complex logistics, and asymmetric warfare.

Maj Gen Joseph Musoke Ssemwanga is said to be methodical, reserved, and intensely professional, traits favored for senior command roles. His appointment ensures continuity and stability in the UPDF Land Forces, amid regional and internal security demands.

Ssemwanga’s elevation reflects his operational performance, command competence, and institutional loyalty, positioning him to maintain Uganda’s ground combat command and operational readiness.

You can read about what killed Maj Gen Francis Takirwa Here.

It should be remembered that Gen Muhoozi has shaken up the UPDF command in the past year or so, including firing the army’s intelligence chief over alleged fake intelligence reports, as reported Here and There.