President Yoweri Museveni the Chief Commander of the Armed Forces on Thursday June 24, 2021 appointed Lt. Gen Wilson Mbadi as the new Chief of Defence Forces in Uganda, replacing Maj Gen David Muhoozi in the position.
Gen (Rtd.) Museveni also promoted Lt Gen Wilson Mbadi to the rank of a full General. But who is Gen. Wilson Mbadi? Here is the full profile of Uganda’s new CDF.
Profile Summary
Lieutenant General Wilson Mbasu Mbadi is a senior military officer in the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF). He currently serves as the Chief of the Defence Forces (CDF).
From May 2013 until January 2017, Mbadi served as the Joint Chief of Staff of the UPDF, where he was replaced by Major General Joseph Musanyufu. In 2005, he successfully completed a Diploma course in Strategic Studies at the University of Nairobi. In 2007, he graduated with a master’s degree in Strategic Studies from the Air War College at Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama, United States of America.
Early Life & Military Education
Wilsom Mbasu Mbadi was born on 6 June 1962 in Kasese District. He joined the Uganda military in 1986. In 1991, he was commissioned, following the completion of a one-year Officer Cadet course at Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, in the United Kingdom. While at Sandhurst, he graduated at the top of his class. In 1992, he attended the Platoon Commander’s Course at the Uganda School of Infantry, at that time located in Jinja. In 1994, he attended the Uganda Junior Staff College, also at Jinja.
In 1998, Mbadi attended the Mobile International Defence Management Course, in Lusaka, Zambia. Also in 1998, he attended the Company Command Course in Tanzania. In 2001, he attended the Combat Group Command Course at Armored Corps Center and School, in Ahmadnagar, India, doing very well. In 2004, he attended the Senior Command and Staff Course at National Defence College, Kenya (NDCK). Also in 2004, Wilson Mbadi completed the Peace Support Operations Course (PSTC) at Karen, Kenya.
In 2005, he successfully completed a Diploma course in Strategic Studies at the University of Nairobi. In 2007, he graduated with a master’s degree in Strategic Studies from the Air War College at Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama, United States of America.
Military career
From 1987 until 1989, he served as a Junior Non commissioned Instructor at Kaweweta and Kabamba Recruit Training Schools. In 1991, he was the Officer in charge of Career Planning. He then served as the Director of Supplies in 1997/8 and Armoured Brigade Logistics Officer and Brigade Administrative Officer in 1999 and 2000 respectively.
In 2001, he served as the Directing Staff, at the Uganda Junior Staff College in Jinja before becoming 503 Infantry Brigade Operations and Training officer in 2001/2002. Between 2002 and 2003, he served as the Armoured Brigade Operations and Training Officer before commanding the Armoured Brigade, in an acting capacity.
In 2005, the took full command of the 507 Brigade before becoming the Principal Air Staff Officer (Pers and Admin) at Uganda Peoples Defence Air Force HQs in 2006.
In 2007, he became Aide-de-Camp (ADC) to the President of Uganda, serving in that capacity until December 2012 when he was appointed Commander of the 4th Infantry Division of UPDF, based in Gulu. In May 2013, he was appointed Joint Chief of Staff of the UPDF.
Other Responsibilities
Lieutenant General Wilson Mbadi is also the Inspector General of UPDF and Chairman of UPDF Medals Committee, UPDF Dress committee, Defence Forces Dutyfree Shop Board of Directors, Senior Command and Staff College Control Board, Uganda National Defence College Steering Committee, MoDVA Projects Preparation Committee and a member of Kyoga Dynamics Board of Directors.
Lt. Gen. Mbadi is also a member of the Standard Gauge Railway Board of Directors (2015–2018). He served also as the Chairman of Uganda Military Engineering College and a member of the Board of Directors of the National Enterprise Corporation Limited (2013–2016). He is married with children. He is of the Christian faith.
Gen. Wilson Mbadi replaces Maj David Muhoozi as the new Chief of Defence Forces. The latter was recently appointed as Minister of state for internal affairs for the new term of cabinet 2021-2026.
