The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) has been struck by another tragedy with the sudden death of Major General Deus Sande, commander of the Armoured Division in Masaka District.
UPDF spokesperson Col. Chris Magezi confirmed that Maj. Gen. Sande passed away early Wednesday morning in Mpigi after developing breathing complications while en route to Kampala. He had been traveling to attend the funeral of fellow commander Maj. Gen. Francis Takirwa at All Saints Cathedral, Nakasero. Efforts to resuscitate him at a local hospital were unsuccessful, and the exact cause of death is yet to be determined.
Sande’s passing comes just days after the death of Maj. Gen. Takirwa, the Deputy Commander of Land Forces, who succumbed to complications from a stroke on February 7 at the UPDF National Referral Hospital in Mbuya.
A Controversial Figure
Maj. Gen. Sande was a polarizing figure in Ugandan politics. In the lead-up to the 2021 elections, he drew criticism for remarks dismissing the possibility of the opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) taking power, declaring: “Do you think we are planning a hand over to the NUP? Forget about it. We are consolidating what we have.”
His tenure in Masaka was marked by accusations of heavy-handedness, including overseeing arrests of opposition leaders and supporters, which heightened tensions between the military and political activists.
Leadership Changes
Following Takirwa’s death, the UPDF confirmed that Maj. Gen. Joseph Musoke Ssemwanga has been appointed Deputy Commander of Land Forces, a decision finalized earlier this month.
The Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, described Takirwa as a “loyal and courageous patriot,” noting that the loss of two senior commanders in quick succession is a heavy blow to the military and the nation.
