Felix Kulayigye

Kulayigye was born circa 1964 to Fredrick Semichacha and Regina Abagirinka in Gayaza Village, in Masaka District. The family migrated from Kisoro District, eventually settling in present-day Bukomansimbi District. He is the last-born in a family of nine siblings. His mother died soon after Kulayigye was born and he grew up in an orphanage in Rutshuru in Kisoro District.[1]

He attended several primary schools, completing P7 at St. Herman Nkoni Boys' Primary School in Masaka. He attended Kabalega Secondary School for O-Level and Kololo High School for A-Level. Later, he entered Makerere University, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Education, in 1989. Still later, he studied for a Master of Arts in Economic Policy and Planning, also at Makerere University.[1]

He joined Uganda's armed forces in 1989, after completing his first university degree. He saw combat in Northern Uganda against the Lord's Resistance Army. While there, he served as a platoon commander. Later, from 2005 to 2013, he served as the UPDF Spokesperson.[2] Still later, he served as the Chief Political Commissar. In 2016, he was elected to serve as a Member of Parliament representing the UPDF in the 10th Parliament (2016 to 2021).[1] He spent some time in the Presidential Protection Unit, which today is part of the Special Forces Command in the UPDF.[3]

In February 2019, he was promoted from the rank of Colonel to Brigadier, in a military promotions exercise that involved more than 2,000 UPDF men and women.[4]

Felix Kulayigye is married to Justine Bagonza and together are the parents of three daughters and two sons.[1][3]

• Moses Ddiba Ssentongo
• Fred Tolit

• Website of the Parliament of Uganda
• Felix Kulayigye: UPDF despises Besigye’s political bankruptcy