Brig Gen Charity Bainababo has officially taken over as the Director of Women Affairs in the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF), replacing Col Christine Nekesa.
Presiding over the event on 20th August, 2025, Maj Gen James Kinalwa, the Joint Staff Human Resource Management, said that transfers and appointments are vital for institutional growth, professional development, and innovation within the UPDF.
Maj Gen Kinalwa explained that new appointments expose officers to fresh challenges, sharpen their abilities, and prevent stagnation.
“Human resource, like any other resource, must be discovered and tested in order to reveal its full potential,” he said.
In her remarks, Brig Gen Bainababo expressed gratitude for the appointment and dedicated the moment to the women who paved the way in the UPDF.
“This moment is not mine alone. It belongs to the many courageous women who have gone before us, women who broke barriers, challenged stereotypes, and proved that excellence knows no gender,” she said.
Brig Gen Bainababo dedicated the milestone to trailblazing women in the force and pledged to promote mentorship, raise service standards, and ensure women thrive across all military spheres.
Outgoing Director Col Nekesa encouraged continued efforts in gender equity and reaffirmed the UPDF’s commitment to national and international frameworks supporting women’s participation in security.
The Officers made these remarks during the handover ceremony at the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs headquarters.
In April 2022, Bainababo became the first woman to command the Special Forces Command (SFC). On appointment by President Museveni, elevating from the rank of Colonel to Brigadier General and appointed her Deputy Commander of SFC.
She replaced Brig David Mugisha who was transferred to 3rd Division as the second-in-command.
The ceremony was attended by senior officers, junior ranks, and MODVA civilian staff.
