General Edward Kale Kayihura was born to an aristocratic family and is the son of John Kalekezi, a leading exponent in the independence struggle. 

Kalekezi died in a plane crash on August 17, 1960, in Kiev, Ukraine, before Uganda attained her independence but left an indelible mark on this struggle. By the time of his father’s death, Kayihura was only four years old.

Kayihura started his primary education in Gasiza Primary School in Kisoro District, where his father hailed from. 

He later joined Buhinga Primary School in Fort Portal District where his leadership skills first came to a test when he was elected a school prefect

Gen. Kayihura was a brilliant child and became the best student in his school after sitting the East African Ordinary Certificate of Education (EACE) examinations in 1973 at Mutolere Secondary School

He joined St Mary’s College Kisubi and later Makerere University where he did a Bachelors of Law.

He would later study at the prestigious London School of Economics where he earned a Master of Law.

He later joined the NRA bush struggle upon return from school in 1984 and served as an aide to Gen Salim Saleh, the President’s brother.

When ranks were officially given in 1988, Kayihura was a lieutenant.

He was later appointed the Chief Political Commissar of the army and later the military assistant to the president

In 2003, he became the Operations Commander of the UPDF in the war-riven DRC where Uganda’s army was holed up

In 2005, he was appointed as Inspector General of Police until early this March when he was fired by the appointing authority.

He was sent on Katebe, which in military parlance means not being deployed.