Zadock Amanyisa | Tayari
KAMPALA – The Uganda People’s Defence Forces(UPDF) has spoken out on the death of Maj. Gen. Francis Takirwa, who has been serving as Deputy Commander of land forces in the UPDF.
Col. Chris Magezi, the Acting Director of Public Information, Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs, on Saturday announced Gen. Takirwa’s death, explaining that the land forces boss died at the UPDF National Referral Hospital, Mbuya at 6am.
“The UPDF fraternity, with deep sorrow, announces the death of Major General Francis Takirwa, which occurred this morning at about 0600 hours at the UPDF National Referral Hospital, Mbuya. He died from complications of a stroke.” Col. Magezi announced
He added that the deceased General was “initially admitted at Nakasero Hospital from December 9, 2025, until yesterday, Friday, February 6, 2026, when he was referred to the UPDF facility for long-term care and management.”
“Until his illness, Major Gen. Takirwa served as the Deputy Commander of the UPDF Land Forces headquartered in Bombo. We condole with his family, relatives, and friends. Details of burial arrangements will be communicated later.” Said Col. Magezi
Background
Born in November 1965 in Mbarara district, Gen. Takirwa went to schools including Mbarara Junior, Mbarara High School, before joining the military.
In 1994, Gen Takirwa joined the Junior Command and Staff Course at the Uganda Junior Staff College in Jinja and later finished the Company Commanders Course at the Tanzania Military Academy at Monduli in 1998.
In 2006, he attended the Army Senior Command Course at Nanjing Army Command College in Nanjing, China. He obtained a Diploma in African Strategic Studies from the Nasser Higher Military Academy in Giza, Egypt, in 2009. He also completed an Executive National Security Programme at the South African National Defence College.
During his service, Gen. Takirwa held several key leadership positions. He was part of the UPDF contingent to AMISOM in Somalia. He worked as head of Education, Sports and Culture in the national Army before he became the Second Division Commander.