Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has appointed new commandants for the National Defence College Uganda (NDC-U) and the Senior Command and Staff College (SCSC) Kimaka two of the country’s most prestigious military academies.
Brigadier General Alex Opolot Olupot has been named the new Commandant of the NDC-U, located in Jinja. He takes over from Major General Francis Okello, who is set to retire later this year. Brig. Gen. Olupot previously served as the Joint Staff Training and Doctrine, and brings a wealth of experience to his new role. His appointment signals a continuity of high-level strategic leadership training at the NDC-U, which was inaugurated in 2022 as Uganda’s apex institution for military and national security education.
Simultaneously, Brigadier General Micheal Kabango, the current Chief of Staff Land Forces, has been appointed Commandant of SCSC Kimaka, also based in Jinja. He replaces Major General George Igumba, who, like Maj. Gen. Okello, is due for retirement this year. The SCSC is a key pillar in preparing mid-career officers for operational and command responsibilities within the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF).
The outgoing commanders, Maj. Gens. Okello and Igumba, both boast over four decades of exemplary military service. Their contributions span critical command and staff roles that have shaped Uganda’s defence architecture. The UPDF has lauded them as icons of professional military excellence, praising their resilience, discipline, and commitment to nurturing future generations of officers.
The defence community has warmly welcomed the appointments of Brig. Gens. Olupot and Kabango, expressing confidence in their ability to uphold and advance the standards of the UPDF’s elite institutions. Their leadership is expected to further enhance the colleges’ reputations as centers of strategic thought and professional development.
As Uganda continues to strengthen its defence forces through education and innovation, these appointments underscore a commitment to continuity, growth, and excellence in military leadership.
