Mbadi Wilson Mbasu

General Wilson Mbasu Mbadi is a senior military officer in the Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) and the Minister of State for trade, industry and cooperatives. He served as the Chief of Defense Forces, the highest position in Uganda's military, from June 2021 until March 2024, having replaced General David Muhoozi, who was appointed State Minister of Internal Affairs.

Previously, from January 2017 until June 2021, at the rank of Lieutenant General, he served as the Deputy Chief of Defense Forces, replacing Lieutenant General Charles Angina, who became Deputy Commander of Operation Wealth Creation. Immediately prior to that, from May 2013 until January 2017, he served as the Joint Chief of Staff of the UPDF, where he was replaced by Major General Joseph Musanyufu.

Military education Wilson Mbadi joined the Uganda military in 1986. In 1991, he was commissioned, following the completion of a one-year Officer Cadet course at Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, in the United Kingdom. While at Sandhurst, he graduated at the top of his class. In 1992, he attended the Platoon Commander's Course at the Uganda School of Infantry, at that time located in Jinja. In 1994, he attended the Uganda Junior Staff College, also at Jinja.

In 1998, Mbadi attended the Mobile International Defence Management Course, in Lusaka, Zambia. Also in 1998, he attended the Company Command Course in Tanzania. In 2001, he attended the Combat Group Command Course at Armored Corps Center and School, in Ahmadnagar, India. In 2004, he attended the Senior Command and Staff Course at National Defence College, Kenya (NDCK). Also in 2004, Wilson Mbadi completed the Peace Support Operations Course (PSTC) at Karen, Kenya.

Other responsibilities General Wilson Mbadi was also the Inspector General of UPDF and Chairman of UPDF Medals Committee, UPDF Dress Committee, Defence Forces Duty free Shop Board of Directors, Senior Command and Staff College Control Board, Uganda National Defence College Steering Committee, MoDVA Projects Preparation Committee and a member of Kyoga Dynamics Board of Directors. Furthermore, Gen. Mbadi was a member of the Standard Gauge Railway Board of Directors (2015–2018). He also served as the Chairman of Uganda Military Engineering College and a member of the board of directors of the National Enterprise Corporation Limited (2013–2016). He is married with children. He is of the Christian faith.