# Katumba Wamala

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Ugandan politician

Katumba Wamala Born Edward Katumba Wamala (1956-11-19) 19 November 1956 (age 69) Kalangala District, British Uganda Allegiance UNLA (1980–1986) Uganda (1986–present) Branch Ugandan Land Forces Service years 1980–present Rank General Conflicts Ugandan Bush War War in Uganda (1986–1994) Lord's Resistance Army insurgency South Sudanese Civil War Alma mater Nkumba University (Bachelor of Arts in international relations & diplomacy) Uganda Military Academy (Basic Officers Course) Tanzania Military Academy (Junior Staff College) Nigerian Command and Staff College (Senior Staff College) US Army Command and General Staff College (Strategic studies course)

**Edward Katumba Wamala** (born 19 November 1956), commonly known as **Katumba Wamala**, is a [Ugandan](/source/Ugandan) [military officer](/source/Military_officer) and [politician](/source/Politician) who serves as [Minister of Works and Transport](/source/Ministry_of_Works_and_Transport_(Uganda)) in the [Ugandan cabinet](/source/Cabinet_of_Uganda), since 14 December 2019.[1]

Prior to his current position, from 17 January 2017 until 14 December 2019, he served as [Minister of State for Works](/source/Minister_of_State_for_Work) in the [Ugandan](/source/Ugandan) cabinet.[2] He also served as the chief of staff of the [Uganda People's Defense Force](/source/Uganda_People's_Defense_Force) (UPDF), from 2013 until 2017, and was the [commander](/source/Commander) of the UPDF's ground forces from 2005 to 2013. He also served as the [inspector general of police](/source/Inspector_general_of_police) (IGP) of the [Uganda Police Force](/source/Uganda_Police_Force) (UPF), the highest rank in that branch of [Uganda](/source/Uganda)'s [government](/source/Government), from 2001 until 2005. Wamala was the first active UPDF soldier to serve as the head of the UPF. On 1 June 2021, Katumba survived an [assassination](/source/Assassination) attempt in [Kisaasi](/source/Kisaasi), a [Kampala](/source/Kampala) suburb when gunmen attacked and wounded the General, killing his daughter and driver, leaving him with [gunshot](/source/Gunshot) [wounds](/source/Wound) on both shoulders.[3]

## Early life and education

Katumba Wamala was born on 19 November 1956 in Bweeza, [Kalangala District](/source/Kalangala_District), [Ssese Islands](/source/Ssese_Islands), in the [Buganda Region](/source/Central_Region%2C_Uganda) of Uganda.[4]

He holds a certificate in agriculture. In 2007, he graduated from [Nkumba University](/source/Nkumba_University) with a [Bachelor of Arts](/source/Bachelor_of_Arts) degree in international relations and diplomacy. He also holds a [Master of Science](/source/Master_of_Science) degree in strategic leadership from the [United States Army War College](/source/United_States_Army_War_College).[5][6] He has military qualifications from the following military schools:[7] [Uganda Military Academy](/source/Uganda_Military_Academy), [Tanzania Military Academy](/source/Tanzania_Military_Academy), a military academy in the [Soviet Union](/source/Soviet_Union), [Nigerian Command and Staff College](/source/Armed_Forces_Command_and_Staff_College%2C_Jaji), [United States Army Command and General Staff College](/source/United_States_Army_Command_and_General_Staff_College), and [United States Army War College](/source/United_States_Army_War_College). In October 2023, he was awarded an honorary [Doctor of Letters](/source/Doctor_of_Letters) by [Nkumba University](/source/Nkumba_University) in recognition of his contributions to his community, country and humanity.[8]

## Career

General Edward Katumba Wamala

Commander of UPDF Land Forces Lieutenant General Edward Katumba Wamala in Mogadishu

Wamala was an [officer](/source/Officer) in the [Uganda National Liberation Army](/source/Uganda_National_Liberation_Army) (UNLA) when the [National Resistance Army](/source/National_Resistance_Army) (NRA) defeated the [UNLA](/source/Uganda_National_Liberation_Front) in 1986. He transitioned into the NRA without incident.[9]

Between 1999 and 2000, he was a student at the [U.S. Army War College](/source/U.S._Army_War_College) in [Carlisle](/source/Carlisle), [Pennsylvania](/source/Pennsylvania). Between 2000 and 2001, at the rank of [major general](/source/Major_general), he commanded the UPDF forces in the [Democratic Republic of the Congo](/source/Democratic_Republic_of_the_Congo). He was appointed IGP in 2001, serving in that capacity until 2005.

In August 2003, Katumba attended the [Ugandan North American Association (UNAA)](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ugandan_North_American_Association_(UNAA)&action=edit&redlink=1) convention in Boston, Massachusetts.[10]

He was then promoted to [lieutenant general](/source/Lieutenant_general) and given the title of commander of land forces, based at [Bombo](/source/Bombo%2C_Uganda) Military [Barracks](/source/Barracks), making him one of the most senior officers in the [Ugandan](/source/Ugandan) military.[11] In his role as commander of the land forces, he was closely engaged in the peace-keeping mission that the UPDF performs in [Somalia](/source/Somalia), commonly referred to as [AMISOM](/source/AMISOM).[12] On 23 May 2013, he was promoted to the rank of four-star [general](/source/General_officer) and appointed chief of defence forces.[13]

## Assassination attempt

On 1 June 2021, General Katumba Wamala was travelling to the city centre when four gunmen appeared and opened fire on his vehicle near his home, in [Kisaasi](/source/Kisaasi), a [Kampala](/source/Kampala) suburb. Wamala suffered gunshot wounds to both shoulders, but survived and was rushed to hospital. His driver, Haruna Kayondo, and daughter, Brenda Wamala Nantongo, were killed at the scene of the attack. All of the surviving family members attended the funeral of Brenda Wamala Nantongo.[14][15][16][17] After a month of investigation, on 1 July 2021, authorities revealed that the attackers were [Islamist extremists](/source/Islamic_extremism) who were trained at a [jihadist](/source/Jihadism) camp in [North Kivu](/source/North_Kivu), [Democratic Republic of Congo](/source/Democratic_Republic_of_Congo), and had links with the [Allied Democratic Forces](/source/Allied_Democratic_Forces) and the [Islamic State](/source/Islamic_State).[18]

The [President of Uganda](/source/President_of_Uganda), [Yoweri Museveni](/source/Yoweri_Museveni), condemned the attack, describing it as the work of "pigs who do not value life".[19]

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1R_1-0)** Monitor Reporter (14 December 2019). ["Museveni Shuffles Cabinet, Drops Muloni, Appoints Magyezi"](https://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Museveni-shuffles-Cabinet-drops-Muloni-Nadduli-Ssekandi/688334-5386130-139sq4lz/index.html). *[Daily Monitor](/source/Daily_Monitor)*. Kampala. Retrieved 15 December 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** Taddeo Bwambale (10 January 2017). ["Muhoozi Replaces Katumba As Army Chief"](http://www.newvision.co.ug/new_vision/news/1443700/muhoozi-replaces-katumba-cdf). *[New Vision](/source/New_Vision)*. Kampala. Retrieved 10 June 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Katumba Wamala shooting: Uganda minister's daughter killed"](https://news.yahoo.com/katumba-wamala-uganda-mp-shot-095221152.html). *news.yahoo.com*. Retrieved 7 June 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Candia, Steven (31 October 2005). ["Police Will Miss Katumba Wamala"](https://web.archive.org/web/20151223092033/http://www.newvision.co.ug/D/8/459/463676). [New Vision](/source/New_Vision). Archived from [the original](http://www.newvision.co.ug/D/8/459/463676) on 23 December 2015. Retrieved 12 May 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["The Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala"](https://web.archive.org/web/20190322180358/http://specialforcescommand.go.ug/the-chief-of-defence-forces-gen-edward-katumba-wamala/). *specialforcescommand.go.ug*. Archived from [the original](http://specialforcescommand.go.ug/the-chief-of-defence-forces-gen-edward-katumba-wamala) on 22 March 2019. Retrieved 22 December 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Tebajjukira, Madinah (22 April 2007). ["Uganda: General Katumba Gets First Class Degree"](http://allafrica.com/stories/200704230693.html). [New Vision](/source/New_Vision) via [AllAfrica.com](/source/AllAfrica.com). Retrieved 12 May 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Candia, Steven (31 October 2005). ["The Military Education of Katumba Wamala"](https://web.archive.org/web/20151223092033/http://www.newvision.co.ug/D/8/459/463676). [New Vision](/source/New_Vision). Archived from [the original](http://www.newvision.co.ug/D/8/459/463676) on 23 December 2015. Retrieved 12 May 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Samuel Muhimba (26 October 2023). ["Gen Katumba Wamala awarded honorary doctorate"](https://nilepost.co.ug/2023/10/26/gen-katumba-wamala-awarded-honorary-doctorate/). *Nile Post Uganda*. Kampala, Uganda. Retrieved 26 October 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Kato, Joshua (5 September 2005). ["Rebels Turned UPDF Commanders"](https://web.archive.org/web/20150623073507/http://www.newvision.co.ug/D/8/26/454351). *[New Vision](/source/New_Vision)*. Archived from [the original](http://www.newvision.co.ug/D/8/26/454351) on 23 June 2015. Retrieved 12 May 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["Uganda: N. American Ugandans Meet"](https://allafrica.com/stories/200309021052.html). New Vision (Kampala). 2 September 2003. Retrieved 18 February 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** Candia, Steven (3 November 2005). ["Major General Kale Kaihura Takes Over Police Force"](https://web.archive.org/web/20150623073214/http://www.newvision.co.ug/D/8/12/464172). *[New Vision](/source/New_Vision)*. Archived from [the original](http://www.newvision.co.ug/D/8/12/464172) on 23 June 2015. Retrieved 12 May 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** Ayiga Ondoga (14 February 2010). ["Over 1,700 UPDF Soldiers for Somalia"](https://web.archive.org/web/20150623081233/http://www.newvision.co.ug/D/8/13/710123). Kampala: [New Vision](/source/New_Vision). Archived from [the original](http://www.newvision.co.ug/D/8/13/710123) on 23 June 2015. Retrieved 12 May 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** John Tugume (24 May 2013). ["General Katumba Wamala To Head The Uganda Army"](https://web.archive.org/web/20170113133849/http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Gen--Katumba-Wamala-to-head-the-Uganda-army/-/688334/1861660/-/tmwm0bz/-/index.htmlb). *[Daily Monitor](/source/Daily_Monitor)*. Kampala. Archived from [the original](http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Gen--Katumba-Wamala-to-head-the-Uganda-army/-/688334/1861660/-/tmwm0bz/-/index.htmlb) on 13 January 2017. Retrieved 12 May 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** Sam Waswa (1 June 2021). ["General Katumba Wamala Attacked by Gunmen; Daughter Reported Dead"](https://chimpreports.com/gen-katumba-wamala-attacked-by-gun-men-driver-reported-dead/). *ChimpReports*. Kampala, Uganda. Retrieved 1 June 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["Assassination attempt on Ugandan minister kills 2"](https://www.dw.com/en/assassination-attempt-on-ugandan-minister-kills-2/a-57736189). *[Deutsche Welle](/source/Deutsche_Welle)*. 1 June 2021. Retrieved 1 June 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** ["Katumba Wamala: Uganda minister shot in assassination attempt"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-57315083). *[BBC News](/source/BBC_News)*. 1 June 2021. Retrieved 1 June 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** ["Assassination attempt on Ugandan minister kills daughter and driver"](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jun/01/ugandan-minister-hurt-in-assassination-bid-that-killed-his-daughter). *[The Guardian](/source/The_Guardian)*. 1 June 2021. Retrieved 1 June 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** ["Uganda links Islamist rebels to attempted murder of minister"](https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/uganda-links-islamist-rebels-attempted-murder-minister-2021-07-01/). *Reuters*. 1 July 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** ["Gunmen kill Uganda minister's daughter in failed assassination attempt"](https://www.irishtimes.com/news/world/africa/gunmen-kill-uganda-minister-s-daughter-in-failed-assassination-attempt-1.4581123). *[The Irish Times](/source/The_Irish_Times)*. 1 June 2021. Retrieved 1 June 2021.

## External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Katumba Wamala](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Katumba_Wamala).

- [General Katumba Wamala's Page At Parliament.go.ug](http://www.parliament.go.ug/mp_database/profile.php?mid=179)

- [Images of General Katumba Wamala At Google.com](http://www.google.com/search?q=katumba+wamala&bav=on.2,or.r_qf.&bvm=bv.47008514,d.ZWU&biw=1093&bih=431&wrapid=tlif136958939673410&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hl=en&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&ei=qUaiUamQIsKLhQenpYHoDA#facrc=_&imgrc=fxbDKFBWvBBReM%3A%3BNcUy5YNzw-VGtM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fdanwaanews.com%252Fwp-content%252Fuploads%252F2013%252F01%252FLt%252BGen%252BEdward%252Bkatumba%252BWamala%252BCommander%252BLand%252BForces.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fdanwaanews.com%252F%253Fp%253D6351%3B1000%3B967)

Police appointments Preceded by John Kisembo Inspector General of Police of Uganda Police Force 2003–2005 Succeeded by Kale Kayihura Military offices Preceded by Aronda Nyakairima Chief of Defense Forces of Uganda 2013 – 2017 Succeeded by David Muhoozi Civic offices Preceded by Monica Azuba Ntege Minister of Works and Transport December 2019 - present

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Katumba Wamala](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katumba_Wamala) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katumba_Wamala?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.