Bugisu Sub-region eats big as M7 elevates David Gonyi to Major General

KAMPALA — Bugisu Sub-region is celebrating a major boost in representation at the highest levels of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces after President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni promoted Brig Gen David Robert Gonyi to the rank of Major General.

The elevation was announced on Monday, 28 July 2026, in an official press release from the Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs’ Department of Defence Public Information.

According to the statement, the President and Commander-in-Chief of the UPDF promoted 301 General, Senior and Junior Officers. In the same exercise, 83 officers who had been serving in acting capacities were confirmed in their substantive ranks, while 89 Second Lieutenants on probationary ranks were confirmed as full Lieutenants.

Among the most senior officers elevated were six Brigadier Generals moved up to Major General. They are:

Ag Maj Gen Joseph Musoke Ssemwanga (confirmed as Major General)

Brig Gen Godwin Karugaba

Brig Gen Chris Musinguzi Bagonza

Brig Gen Michael Nyarwa

Brig Gen Richard Karemire

Brig Gen David Robert Gonyi.

Gonyi, a son of Bugisu (with strong ties to Sironko District), has been serving as Chief of Staff of the UPDF Air Force. He is also one of the UPDF’s representatives in the 12th Parliament. His promotion is being widely hailed in eastern Uganda as a significant recognition of talent and long service from the sub-region.

The Ministry said the promotions and confirmations “strengthen leadership across all levels of the Force and ensure continuity in fulfilling the UPDF’s constitutional mandate to defend the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Uganda.”

Col Chris Magezi, Acting Director of Defence Public Information, signed the statement on behalf of the Ministry and the Force, extending congratulations to all the elevated officers.

For many in Bugisu, Gonyi’s rise to Major General is more than a personal achievement. It is seen as a proud moment for the sub-region’s contribution to national security and a signal that officers from eastern Uganda continue to rise through the ranks on merit.

The full list of the remaining 295 officers promoted or confirmed has not yet been publicly detailed beyond the six most senior names. Further announcements and formal decoration ceremonies are expected in the coming days.