Gen. Wilson Mbasu Mbadi has been appointed as the new Chief of Defence forces (CDF) of the Uganda People’s Defense Forces by Commander in Chief, President Yoweri Museveni.
He replaces Gen. David Muhoozi who has been at the helm of the UPDF for four years. Muhoozi is the new State Minister for Internal Affairs and representative of the UPDF in the 11th parliament.
Gen Mbadi aged 59 years is a senior military officer in the UPDF, a force he joined 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
He has served as the Deputy Chief of the Defense Forces and Inspector General of the UPDF prior to his appointment. He was appointed to that position in January 2017, replacing Lieutenant General Charles Angina, who became Deputy Commander of Operation Wealth Creation.
Prior to that position, Wilson served as the Joint Chief of Staff of the UPDF from May 2013 until January 2017, where he was replaced by Major General Joseph Musanyufu.