Written By | Alex Mbamanya
Brigadier Pande Kajuba, the newly appointed Armored Brigade commander.
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By Our Reporter
The Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Senior Presidential Advisor for Special Operations, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has appointed Brig. Gen. Jackson Pande Kajuba as the new Commander of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) Armoured Division in Masaka.
Brig. Gen. Pande Kajuba replaces Maj. Gen. Deus Sande, who passed away on Wednesday after suffering severe breathing complications while en route to Kampala to attend a colleague’s funeral.
Maj. Gen. Deus Sande, a native of Ruboroga Village, Kigata Parish in Kyanamira Sub-county, Kabale District, was one of Uganda’s senior military officers with decades of service in the UPDF. He rose steadily through the ranks, earning respect for his command of mechanised and armoured units, as well as for his stewardship of the Armoured Division based in Kasijjagirwa, Masaka.
At home in Kabale and across the Kigezi sub-region, he was widely eulogised for supporting community initiatives — from helping to improve local school infrastructure to fostering stronger civil-military relations — and for being a disciplinarian who emphasised professionalism among troops.
However, he became a polarising figure in the months leading up to the 2021 general elections, when his public comments attracted national attention. In statements widely covered by the media, then Brig. Gen. Sande dismissed suggestions that the army would transfer power to opposition forces, asserting that the UPDF would “consolidate what we have” rather than hand over power to what he described as “ideologically bankrupt” critics.
In early 2026, shortly before his death, Maj. Gen. Sande spoke in a rare interview about the electoral process, urging Ugandans to maintain peace and focus on economic development after the polls. He reiterated the army’s commitment to neutrality and its role in maintaining law and order for all citizens.
Before his new appointment, Brig. Gen. Pande Kajuba had been serving as the Deputy Commander of the Armoured Division under the late Maj. Gen. Sande.
In related changes, Col. Wilson Bagonza Rwakanara of the Special Forces Command (SFC) has been promoted to the rank of Brigadier General and appointed Deputy Commander of the UPDF Armoured Division. The appointments take immediate effect.
Col. Wilson Bagonza Armoured Brigade Assistant commamder
Acting UPDF spokesperson Col. Chris Magezi said:
“The Chief of Defence Forces has appointed Brig. Gen. Jackson Pande Kajuba as Commander and Brig. Gen. Wilson Bagonza Rwakanara as Deputy Commander of the Armoured Division, with immediate effect.”
