Colonel Edith Nakalema, is a Ugandan military officer, who graduated in August 2018 from the Higher Command and Staff Course at the Joint Services Command and Staff College, in Watchfield, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom,[1] where she had been admitted in 2017.[2]

Colonel
Edith Nakalema
Born1978 (age 45–46)
NationalityUgandan
CitizenshipUganda
EducationMakerere University Business School
(Diploma in Business Studies)
Nkumba University
(Bachelor's Degree in Procurement and Logistics Management)
Joint Services Command and Staff College
(Higher Command and Staff Course)
Uganda National Defence College
(Defence and Strategic Command Course)
OccupationMilitary officer
Years active2000 to present
TitleHead of the State House Investor Protection Unit
SpouseLieutenant Colonel Jimmy Asizua

Background and education

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She was born in Kashaari Village, Mbarara District in the Western Region of Uganda, to Midrace Sserwadda, a housewife and Eriyasafu Sserwadda, an Anglican parish priest. She joined the Uganda People's Defence Force (UPDF) in 1999,[3] where she rose to the rank of Major, in the "Special Forces Command", under the command of Muhoozi Kainerugaba.[4] Nakalema holds a Diploma in Business Studies, awarded by Makerere University Business School. She also holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Procurement and Logistics Management, obtained from Nkumba University.[5]

Career

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Prior to her arrival at the Uganda State House, Nakalema had worked in the finance department of the Special Forces Command (SFC). She was part of a team that established a working financial and accounting system at the SFC.[4] In 2014, she was appointed to be the personal private secretary (PPS) to the president of Uganda, on the recommendation of the SFC.[4][6] In November 2016, her role was elevated to that of personal assistant to the president, specifically taking charge of the president's daily itinerary. She was replaced as PPS, by Molly Kamukama, a civilian.[4][7] In June 2017, Nakalema was selected to attend senior military training in the United Kingdom.[8][9]

Other considerations

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In November 2017, the New Vision newspaper in Kampala, Uganda reported that Major Edith Nakalema was a student at the Joint Services Command and Staff College (JSCSC), in the United Kingdom. As part of the international day celebrations by students at the military college, Nakalema showcased Ugandan attire, cuisine (including food and fruits) and cultural dances. The showcase, attended by staff from Uganda's high commission in London, impressed Air Vice Marshal Chris Luck, the commander of the military school.[2]

To celebrate her graduation from the Joint Services and Command Staff College at the United Kingdom Defence Academy in Shrivenham, Major Nakalema hosted her classmates, instructors, other college staff and their families to a luncheon, attended by over 100 people from 15 different countries.[1]

Promotion and re-assignment

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In December 2018, Nakalema was introduced at a public function as a Lieutenant Colonel, who is the head of the State House Anti-Corruption Unit (SH-ACU), based at State House, in Kampala.[10][11][12]

In April 2021, the Commander-in-Chief of the UPDF promoted a total of 1,393 military officers. Among those promoted was Edith Nakalema, who was promoted from Lieutenant Colonel to full Colonel.[13]

In January 2022, Nakalema was selected to be part of the pioneer class at the newly established National Defence College, Uganda. She was replaced at SH-ACU by Brigadier Henry Isoke, who previously served as second-in-command at Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence, deputizing Major General Abel Kandiho.[14]

Following her studies at the Uganda National Defence College, she was appointed as the Head of the newly created State House Investor Protection Unit effective May 2023.[15]

Family

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Colonel Edith Nakalema is a married mother.[5]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Vision Reporter (2 August 2018). "Major Edith Nakalema Graduates". New Vision. Kampala. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
  2. ^ a b Sekanjako, Henry (26 November 2017). "Uganda praised for rich culture at UK Defence Academy celebrations". New Vision. Kampala. Retrieved 26 November 2017.
  3. ^ Alfred Tumushabe (3 September 2014). "President commends born-again civil servants". Daily Monitor. Kampala, Uganda. Retrieved 12 December 2018.
  4. ^ a b c d Kiggundu, Edris (14 June 2017). "Why Nakalema left State House". The Observer (Uganda). Kampala. Retrieved 26 November 2017.
  5. ^ a b Nile Post Uganda (27 April 2021). "Through hard work, Col Edith Nakalema has scaled the army heights". Nile Post Uganda. Kampala. Retrieved 27 April 2021.
  6. ^ Ivam Okuda, and Risdel Kasasira (4 August 2015). "State House Denies Major Nakalema Exit". Daily Monitor. Kampala. Retrieved 26 November 2017.
  7. ^ TUT (4 November 2016). "Major Nakalema Elevated as Museveni Shuffles Permanent Secretaries". Kampala: The Uganda Today (TUT). Retrieved 26 November 2017.
  8. ^ Dickens Okello (7 June 2017). "Major Nakalema Removed from State House, Sent to London". Chimpreports.com. Kampala. Retrieved 26 November 2017.
  9. ^ Ivan Okuda (7 June 2017). "Museveni sends Maj Nakalema to UK military academy". Daily Monitor Mobile. Kampala. Retrieved 26 November 2017.
  10. ^ Moses Ndhaye (10 December 2018). "We shall start confiscating property of corrupt government officials, says Museveni". Daily Monitor. Kampala. Retrieved 10 December 2018.
  11. ^ Ampurire, Paul (10 December 2018). "Museveni Launches Anti-corruption Unit, Lieutenant Colonel Nakalema Appointed Head". Kampala: Soft Power Uganda. Retrieved 12 December 2018.
  12. ^ Nassaka, Flavia (17 December 2018). "Lieutenant Colonel Edith Nakalema". The Independent (Uganda). Kampala. Retrieved 20 February 2019.
  13. ^ Franklin Draku (27 April 2021). "Museveni promotes more 1,393 UPDF officers". Daily Monitor. Kampala. Retrieved 27 April 2021.
  14. ^ Muhamadi Matovu (26 January 2022). "Col Nakalema speaks out on her departure from State House Anti-Corruption Unit". Nile Post Uganda. Kampala, Uganda. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
  15. ^ Crispus Mugisha (6 May 2023). "Col Nakalema appointed head of new anti-corruption unit inside State House". Nile Post Uganda. Kampala, Uganda. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
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