Masaka Armoured Division Commander Gen Deus Sande Dies

Ugandans woke up to shocking news that Maj. Gen. Deus Sande, the Commander of the Armoured Division based in Kasijjagirwa, Masaka District, has been confirmed dead. The news has spread quickly across the country, drawing mixed reactions from the public. While some remember him as a powerful military officer, others recall his name with fear, pain, and unanswered questions.

Maj. Gen. Sande was a senior figure in the security forces and held significant authority in the Masaka region. His base at Kasijjagirwa military barracks became well known, not only for military operations but also for controversy. Over the years, opposition politicians, activists, and ordinary civilians accused forces under his command of carrying out violent arrests and enforced disappearances.

Among the most serious allegations linked to his name was the abduction of opposition figures and their supporters. Critics have long claimed that people picked up by security operatives were taken to Kasijjagirwa barracks, where some were allegedly tortured and held without access to lawyers or family members. Many families say their loved ones were detained incommunicado, with no official explanation given.

One case that continues to stir strong emotions is that of the late Hon. Muhammad Ssegirinya. After he was granted bail in Masaka, reports emerged accusing Maj. Gen. Sande of being involved in his re-arrest and abduction. Supporters of the opposition say this event symbolized the heavy-handed approach used against government critics at the time.

Human rights defenders have often pointed to Kasijjagirwa barracks as a place of suffering, claiming innocent civilians were detained there on orders from top commanders. Although these allegations were repeatedly denied by security agencies, many victims say they still carry physical and emotional scars from their experiences.

With the death of Maj. Gen. Deus Sande now confirmed, these painful stories have resurfaced. For some, his passing brings no closure, only renewed calls for truth, justice, and accountability. For others, it marks the end of a powerful and feared chapter in Uganda’s security history, leaving the nation once again reflecting on the cost of power, silence, and unresolved abuse.