Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) General Muhoozi Kainerugaba has officially opened the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) annual Defence Strategic Retreat at the Defence Intelligence and Security Headquarters in Mbuya.
The three-day retreat brings together senior military commanders and civilian officials from the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs (MoDVA) to review performance, strengthen coordination and set strategic priorities for the 2026/27 financial year.
General Kainerugaba chaired the first two days of the conference over the weekend, leading discussions on performance reviews and key strategic issues aimed at enhancing the country’s defence preparedness and institutional effectiveness.
The annual retreat serves as an important platform for reforming the Ministry’s strategic planning processes and ensuring that defence priorities remain aligned with Uganda’s evolving national security needs.
The conference has attracted top UPDF leadership and senior technocrats from the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs, including the Under-Secretary for Finance and Administration, Edith Butuuro, as part of efforts to strengthen collaboration between the military and the ministry.
The discussions are also expected to inform defence spending and resource allocation for the 2026/27 financial year, ensuring that the sector is adequately equipped to deliver on its mandate.
The retreat is scheduled to conclude on Tuesday, when Gen. Kainerugaba will present the consolidated strategic priorities to the Minister of Defence, who will officially close the conference.
