| Felix Kulayigye | |
| Birth Place: | Masaka District, Uganda |
| Alma Mater: | Makerere University |
| Years Active: | 1989 - present |
| Nationality: | Ugandan |
| Citizenship: | Uganda |
| Known For: | Military matters |
| Political Commissar Uganda People's Defence Force & UPDF Member of Parliament Parliament of Uganda | |
Felix Kulayigye is a brigadier general in the Uganda People's Defence Force (UPDF). Effective 4 February 2022, he is the official spokesperson of the UPDF, replacing Brigadier Flavia Byekwaso, who was sent on a course at the National Defense College, Uganda. This is his second tour in the same post, having served in this role from 2005 until 2013.[1]
Previously, he was the Political Commissar of the UPDF and concurrently served as a Member of Parliament, representing the UPDF.[2]
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.[2]
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.[2]
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.[3] 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).[2] He spent some time in the Presidential Protection Unit, which today is part of the Special Forces Command in the UPDF.[4]
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.[5]
Brigadier General Felix Kulayigye was, in February 2022, re-appointed as the UPDF Spokesperson, by the Commander-in-Chief, General Yoweri Museveni. Felix Kulayigye replaced Brigadier Flavia Byekwaso, who was sent on a course at the National Defence College, Uganda in Njeru, Buikwe District.[1]
Felix Kulayigye is married to Justine Bagonza and together are the parents of three daughters and two sons.[2] [4]