The Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs has asked Parliament to support its priorities and resource requirements as it seeks to strengthen the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) and sustain the country’s security.
The Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs, Hon. Kiryowa Kiwanuka, made the appeal while appearing before Parliament’s Committee on Defence and Internal Affairs, chaired by Hon. Robina Rwakoojo, on Tuesday.
Kiwanuka appeared alongside the Minister of State for Defence and Veteran Affairs (Defence), Hon. Grace Akifeza Ngabirano, and the Minister of State for Defence and Veteran Affairs (Veteran Affairs), Hon. Huda Abason Oleru.
The ministers briefed the committee on the state of the ministry, accountability, resource requirements and key achievements registered by the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs (MODVA) and UPDF between 2021 and 2026 during the 11th Parliament.
Kiwanuka highlighted the constitutional mandate of the UPDF under Article 208 of the 1995 Constitution, which establishes the force as non-partisan, national in character, patriotic, professional, disciplined, productive and subordinate to civilian authority.
He said the UPDF is mandated to protect Uganda’s sovereignty and territorial integrity while safeguarding the rights of citizens, the rule of law and good governance.
Security and capacity building
Highlighting achievements registered over the past five years, Kiwanuka said the UPDF maintained peace and security, including during elections, through what he described as a proactive security posture and effective management of the internal security situation.
The ministry also acquired, refurbished and maintained classified and strategic equipment to improve the UPDF’s capacity to respond to prevailing and emerging security threats.
On manpower, Kiwanuka told MPs that the UPDF recruited an average of 10,000 personnel annually over the past five years to meet staffing requirements under the force’s establishment.
The ministry also continued professional training of personnel both within Uganda and abroad.
In 2022, the ministry established the National Defence College-Uganda (NDC-U) to provide advanced military and strategic training to senior military and civilian officials.
According to Kiwanuka, the college has since graduated 83 students in four intakes, averaging about 20 students annually. The intake is expected to increase to 30 students following the inclusion of officials from other ministries, departments and agencies.
Shs540 billion paid in pensions
On the welfare of serving and retired personnel, Kiwanuka said the government has implemented phased salary and pension enhancements since 2022 in line with available budget allocations.
He revealed that the ministry paid Shs540.46 billion in pensions during the period and maintained full and timely payment of the pension payroll.
The ministry has also continued providing healthcare services to UPDF personnel, their families and surrounding communities, including preventive, curative, rehabilitation, palliative and psychosocial services.
Kiwanuka said construction of the 250-bed UPDF National Referral Hospital is ongoing, with outpatient services at the facility already operational.
Housing and soldiers’ welfare
The committee was also informed that the ministry continued providing formal education to children of soldiers as well as those from communities surrounding military establishments.
Other welfare interventions include operating the Defence Forces Shop on duty-free terms and developing infrastructure for the force.
The ministry cited the development of 30,000 housing units for UPDF personnel, joint strategic headquarters office blocks, a new administration block at the Air Force Headquarters and an administration block for the Special Forces Command Airborne unit.
The UPDF also continued providing essential logistical requirements, including food, clothing, accommodation, petroleum products and maintenance of military equipment.
On veteran affairs, Kiwanuka said the ministry has improved the welfare of retired personnel through payment of gratuity before retirement and timely payment of pensions.
Veterans have also been supported to participate in productive activities aimed at improving their socio-economic welfare and contributing to food security through the National Enterprise Corporation (NEC), the Department of Production and Welfare and veterans’ SACCOs.
The ministry now wants Parliament’s support to address its resource requirements and sustain the gains registered in defence, personnel welfare, infrastructure development and veteran support.
