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Major General Felix Busizoori assumed office as Deputy Commander Land Forces, taking over from Major General Joseph Ssemwanga, now Commander Reserve Force.

The handover ceremony was presided over by the Deputy Chief of Defence Forces and Inspector General of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF), Lt Gen Sam Okiding at the Land Force Headquarters in Bombo.

Lt Gen Okiding said their appointments reflected the trust and confidence the UPDF leadership has in their capabilities and experience.

He described transfers and appointments within the UPDF as a normal part of military service.

“Transfers are normal. We are trained people and we understand that. What is important is that all of us have been developed and grown. Now, here, you will do the work,” Lt Gen Okiding said.

He urged Maj Gen Busizoori to work closely with the established Land Force command structure and build on the work already undertaken by his predecessor.

“You are experts in teamwork. Use the team and be a team player. The team is already established. Your work is to fuse with it and provide the support required,” he said.

In his remarks, Maj Gen Ssemwanga described his tenure as Deputy Commander Land Forces as a rewarding experience, and an opportunity to work alongside senior military leaders and other personnel.

“It has been profoundly fulfilling and enriching to have worked alongside exceptional people, including the Commander of the Land Force and all the leaders. They are intelligent and knowledgeable people,” Maj Gen Ssemwanga said.

On his part, Maj Gen Busizoori, thanked the UPDF leadership for entrusting him with the responsibility and acknowledged the critical role of the office in supporting the Commander Land Force and ensuring the effective functioning of the formation.

“Our mission demands nothing but excellence. We will train rigorously, support each other and ensure that every member of the Land Forces is equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed,” Maj Gen Busizoori said.

The handover was attended by Generals senior UPDF officers from the Land Force, Division and Formation Commanders, Joint Services formations, among others.

 

FORT PORTAL — Minister for the Presidency Milly Babirye Babalanda has hailed President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for according the late King of Tooro, His Majesty Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, an official burial, urging the Batooro to remain united and preserve the late monarch’s legacy.

Babalanda, who is also the Member of Parliament for Budiope West, joined Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa, government officials, cultural leaders and thousands of mourners at St. John’s Cathedral in Fort Portal on Saturday for the funeral service of King Oyo.

In a message posted on her official X account, Babalanda described King Oyo as a historic monarch whose reign began when he was only three years old following the death of his father, King Patrick Olimi Kaboyo II.

“His Majesty King Oyo ascended the throne at just three years old after the death of his father and ruled Tooro for nearly three decades,” Babalanda said.

She described his death at the age of 34 as “an immeasurable loss” to the Tooro Kingdom and Uganda.

Babalanda, who was involved in the national organising committee for the official burial, expressed gratitude to President Museveni for supporting the Kingdom during the period of mourning.

“On behalf of the National Organising Committee, I wish to express our deepest and most heartfelt gratitude to His Excellency President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for according His Majesty King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV a befitting official burial,” she said.

She said the President also supported expenses related to the late King’s illness and final journey, including his medical treatment in the United States, the chartering of the aircraft that transported his body to Entebbe and arrangements for his official send-off.

Babalanda also commended Museveni for personally receiving King Oyo’s body at Entebbe International Airport, where he laid a wreath and bowed before the casket draped in the Ugandan national flag and the Tooro Kingdom flag.

According to Babalanda, the President’s presence demonstrated his respect for the institution of the Tooro Kingdom and Uganda’s traditional institutions.

“His personal presence spoke volumes about his respect for the institution of the Tooro Kingdom and traditional institutions in Uganda. This gesture comforted the entire Tooro fraternity and all Ugandans who cherished King Oyo,” she said.

She said the decision to accord King Oyo an official burial reflected the Government’s commitment to national unity, culture and the dignity of Uganda’s traditional institutions.

Babalanda urged the Batooro to remain calm, united and prayerful as they mourn their monarch, while challenging them to build on the legacy he left behind.

“As we mourn our King, let us remain united, calm and prayerful, and preserve the legacy he left behind,” she said.

King Oyo died on August 27, 2026, in the United States at the age of 34 after nearly 30 years on the throne. His remains were laid to rest on Saturday at the Karambi Royal Tombs in Fort Portal.

He is remembered as one of the world’s longest-serving monarchs and for his role in sustaining the institution of the Tooro Kingdom and advancing its cultural and development agenda.

Babalanda concluded her tribute with a message of hope from the Bible: “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” — Psalm 34:18.

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The Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) has once again demonstrated its growing global reach, with celebrations erupting in the United States after two of its diaspora leaders were awarded Patriotic Officer numbers. General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the PLU leader, recognized Ronnie Kananura and Francis Nkuusa in the recently released list, a move that has been hailed as a milestone for the US chapter.

Kananura, who serves as Deputy Commissioner for External Affairs, received Patriotic Officer Number 264. Nkuusa, the Chapter’s Chief Mobilizer, was awarded Patriotic Officer Number 289. The announcement was met with jubilation in Lowell, Massachusetts, where PLU supporters gathered to celebrate what they described as a landmark recognition of their chapter by the top leadership.

For many members, the numbering system carries deep meaning. It is not simply a ceremonial gesture but a symbol of discipline, order, and continuity. Much like military service numbers or liberation army registries, Patriotic Officer numbers embed individuals into the historical archive of PLU, ensuring that their contributions are permanently recorded.

 

Kananura welcomed the recognition with humility but emphasized that the numbers come with responsibility. “I am pleased to receive the recognition and thank General Muhoozi and the entire PLU leadership for the trust. These recognitions come with more responsibilities and a reminder to the members to do more to help PLU reach greater heights,” he said. His words underscored the dual nature of the numbering system: it is both a badge of honor and a call to greater service.

 

Nkuusa echoed similar sentiments, thanking General Muhoozi, Vice Chairman Toyota Kaguta whom he said has mentored the group right from the start and Secretary General Fadil Twalla for their efforts to expand the organization’s ranks. He described the numbering system as a symbol of discipline, distinguishing PLU from informal political groups. “I welcome the new milestone because it’s a vote of confidence in what we have been doing here in the US to build this organization. The National Chairman and the Secretary General have done well alongside the entire leadership structure to broaden PLU into a power-ready movement,” he said.

 

The symbolism of numbering has deep historical roots across global movements. Liberation armies such as Umkhonto we Sizwe in South Africa and FRELIMO in Mozambique assigned numbers to fighters as a way of instilling order and preserving legacy. Military units worldwide rely on service numbers to ensure recognition and accountability. Fraternal orders and civic organizations have long used membership numbers to track initiation and rank, embedding individuals into a collective story. By adopting a similar system, PLU signals that it is not a fleeting political experiment but a disciplined movement with continuity and historical consciousness.

 

For the US chapter, the awards represent more than symbolic gestures. PLU has recently expanded its reach in the United States from a handful of individuals to a robust group that General Muhoozi and the National Resistance Movement can rely on for further diaspora expansion. Kananura’s appointment as Deputy Commissioner External Affairs and Chairman of the Chapter has further enhanced this growth, with appearances at other diaspora events in Qatar, London, and beyond. The recognition of Kananura and Nkuusa therefore consolidates the chapter’s role as a vital link in PLU’s global network.

The celebrations in Lowell reflected the pride of a diaspora that sees itself as part of Uganda’s unfolding political story. For many supporters, the awards were proof that their efforts abroad are not in vain, that the sacrifices of mobilization, organization, and advocacy are being acknowledged at the highest levels. The Patriotic Officer numbers serve as both recognition and responsibility, reminding members that they are part of a disciplined fraternity tasked with carrying the ideals of patriotism, unity, and national renewal into every corner of the globe.

 

As PLU continues to grow, the numbering system will remain a powerful symbol of its identity. Each number is a thread in the tapestry of the movement, weaving together individuals from different regions and backgrounds into a collective story of discipline and patriotism. For Kananura and Nkuusa, the awards are personal milestones, but for the organization, they are markers of expansion, legitimacy, and continuity.

 

The celebrations in Lowell were not just about two men receiving numbers; they were about a diaspora chapter being recognized as an integral part of a movement that seeks to transform Uganda’s political landscape.

 

The awarding of Patriotic Officer numbers to Kananura and Nkuusa is a reminder that PLU is building a house where every chapter, every member, and every diaspora community can find a room. It is a movement that understands the power of recognition, the importance of discipline, and the necessity of inclusion. And for the US chapter, the jubilations in Lowell were a declaration that they stand ready to carry the torch of patriotism alongside their counterparts at home.

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At 50, Mesach Semakula is not simply counting birthdays. He is looking back at five decades of music, relationships, family and the young artistes he has helped along the way.

The veteran singer will celebrate the milestone with a concert dubbed Mesach Semakula Live in 50 Years of Greatness, scheduled for November 13 at Kingdom Kampala.

The event was unveiled on Thursday evening at the I&M Bank atrium at Kingdom Kampala, but its launch took an unconventional route. Instead of the familiar press conference format, Semakula sat down for a conversation on the second episode of I&M Bank’s On Your Side podcast, hosted by the bank’s executive director and chief operations officer, Sam Ntulume.

What began as a concert announcement soon became a reflection on a career that has stretched across generations.

Semakula, popularly known as Sir or Papa, looked back at some of the people who influenced his journey, naming musician Abbey Mukibi, singer and actress Maria Ndagire and the late actor, musician and politician Kato Lubwama among those who played significant roles in his career.

He also spoke about the importance of his family, whose support he credits as part of the foundation that has enabled him to sustain a career spanning decades.

But his legacy, he noted, is not limited to the songs he has released.

Over the years, Semakula has also taken on the role of mentor, helping young artistes and creatives navigate an industry in which finding a breakthrough can be difficult.

That history is part of what he wants to celebrate when he takes the stage in November.

“The concert is important to me because of the passion I have for music and my fans. I have prepared myself to perform for the people who have supported me throughout the years, but most importantly, to celebrate the 50 years God has given me,” he said.

For Semakula, the night will therefore be less about marking his age and more about reconnecting with the music that has defined his life.

He has promised fans a live performance centred on his original music, urging them to expect an authentic musical experience rather than a conventional birthday celebration.

The concert is expected to bring together longtime fans, fellow artistes, friends, family and personalities from Uganda’s entertainment and business circles.

It will also offer a glimpse of how far Semakula’s music has travelled.

Some of those expected to attend grew up listening to him, while others discovered his music much later. His 50th birthday could therefore become a meeting point between generations of listeners who have, in different ways, made his music part of their lives.

For an artiste who has spent half a century on the planet and much of his adult life in music, Semakula’s celebration is ultimately about more than turning 50.

It is a moment to take stock of the songs, people, relationships and lives he has touched along the way.

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