General Edward Katumba Wamala has formally brought his military career to an end after 47 years of service, marking the close of one of the longest careers in Uganda’s post-independence security establishment.
Katumba said he completed his military service on July 31, 2026, reflecting on decades spent in the Uganda National Liberation Army (UNLA), the National Resistance Army (NRA) and later the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF).
“47 years in uniform. 47 years of service to Uganda,” Katumba said in a message marking the milestone.
He expressed gratitude to God, his fellow soldiers, the UPDF and Ugandans for giving him the opportunity to serve, describing the experience as “a lifetime in service” to the country.
Katumba’s retirement had been anticipated as part of the UPDF’s 2026 retirement programme. The army had listed him among more than 20 generals and a wider group of about 1,863 personnel scheduled to leave active service this year.
From soldier to top military commander
Katumba’s career has taken him through some of Uganda’s most important security institutions.
He served in the UNLA before joining the NRA after the 1986 change of government, subsequently rising through the ranks of the UPDF.
He eventually became Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), serving from 2013 to 2017, and was promoted to the rank of four-star General.
His career later extended beyond the military. He served as Inspector General of Police from 2001 to 2005, becoming one of the senior military officers to lead the Uganda Police Force.
He subsequently held senior Cabinet positions, including Minister of Works and Transport. In June 2026, he took over as Minister of Public Service, where he has been overseeing reforms in Uganda’s public administration. The ministry recorded his first top-management meeting in the new portfolio on June 17.
His transition from active military service therefore does not mark his departure from government.
Tribute from Kasingye
As colleagues reflected on Katumba’s career, retired Assistant Inspector General of Police Asan Kasingye paid tribute to him, recalling his time as IGP and the mentorship he received.
Kasingye’s tribute highlighted Katumba’s role in guiding and promoting officers during his tenure, as well as the personal advice he offered to colleagues.
Katumba responded by saying that one of the greatest rewards of leadership is seeing people one has mentored grow and take on greater responsibilities.
“Leadership, to me is about building people, believing in them, and preparing them to carry the responsibility forward,” he said.
He told Kasingye that he was proud of the journey he had made, adding that if he had helped groom and inspire even a few people, his 47 years of service had been worthwhile.
Credits President Museveni
In reflecting on the beginning of his military journey, Katumba also singled out President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.
Katumba said Museveni, who was Defence Minister in the UNLF government in 1979, encouraged and inspired him and others to join the army and serve Uganda.
He said that decision shaped the greater part of his life and that serving under Museveni as Commander-in-Chief had left an “indelible mark” on him.
Katumba thanked President Museveni for what he described as trust, mentorship and opportunities throughout his career, calling him one of the most significant leaders in his journey.
A changing military generation
Katumba’s retirement comes alongside the departure of several other senior officers who have occupied prominent positions in Uganda’s security establishment.
The 2026 retirement programme includes former Deputy Chief of Defence Forces Charles Angina, Commander of the Reserve Force Charles Otema Awany, former Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence chief Abel Kandiho and other senior officers.
The UPDF has described retirement as a normal part of the military system, with the 2026 exercise forming part of the force’s planned transition of personnel from active service to civilian life.
For Katumba, however, the end of military service represents more than the conclusion of a career defined by ranks and appointments.
After nearly five decades in uniform, he said his enduring legacy should be measured by the people he served, mentored and helped prepare to take responsibility after him.
“A lifetime in service. A country forever in my heart,” he said.
