UPDF Recruited 50,000 Personnel in 5 Years, Pushes Shs1.8trn Pay Rise

The Minister of Defence and Veterans Affairs, Hon. Kiryowa Kiwanuka, has called on Parliament to support key defence priorities, citing the need for increased funding, legal reforms and sustained oversight to strengthen the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) and enhance national security.

Appearing before the Parliamentary Committee on Defence and Internal Affairs, chaired by Hon. Robina Rwakoojo, the minister presented the state of the Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs (MODVA), its accountability record and resource requirements.

He was accompanied by the Minister of State for Defence and Veteran Affairs (Veterans Affairs), Hon. Huda Oleru Abason, and the Minister of State for Defence and Veteran Affairs (Defence), Hon. Grace Ngabirano Akifeza, alongside senior officials from various UPDF units and formations.

Kiwanuka outlined the UPDF’s constitutional mandate under Article 208 of the 1995 Constitution, emphasizing that the force remains non-partisan, national in character, patriotic, professional, disciplined, productive and subordinate to civilian authority. He noted that the UPDF is responsible for protecting Uganda’s sovereignty and territorial integrity while safeguarding the rule of law, good governance and the rights of citizens.

Minister of Defence and Veterans Affairs, Hon. Kiryowa Kiwanuka

Major achievements

The minister highlighted several achievements recorded by MODVA and the UPDF between 2021 and 2026.

He credited the force with maintaining peace and security during the election period through proactive security measures that prevented major disruptions to public order.

On capacity building, Kiwanuka said the ministry had acquired, refurbished and maintained strategic military equipment to improve rapid response to emerging security threats.

He also reported that the UPDF had consistently recruited an average of 10,000 personnel annually over the past five years in line with constitutional requirements to meet manpower needs.

In military education, he pointed to the establishment of the National Defence College–Uganda in 2022, which has so far graduated 83 senior military and civilian officials across four intakes. Future intakes are expected to increase to about 30 participants as more government ministries, departments and agencies join the programme.

On welfare, the minister said the government has progressively enhanced salaries and pensions since 2022. He disclosed that the ministry had paid more than Shs540.4 billion in pensions while ensuring timely payments to retirees.

The ministry also highlighted improvements in healthcare, including the continued provision of preventive, curative, rehabilitation, palliative and psychosocial services to soldiers, their families and surrounding communities. Construction of the 250-bed UPDF National Referral Hospital is ongoing, with outpatient services already operational.

Infrastructure development has also expanded, with the construction of 30,000 housing units for UPDF personnel, joint strategic headquarters office blocks, a new Air Force Headquarters administration block and an administration block for the Special Forces Command Airborne Unit.

Kiwanuka further noted progress in logistics through the provision of food, clothing, accommodation, fuel and maintenance of military equipment.

For veterans, the ministry reported improved retirement benefits through timely pension payments and gratuities before retirement, while supporting income-generating activities through National Enterprise Corporation (NEC), the Department of Production and Welfare and veterans’ SACCOs.

Ongoing programmes

Looking ahead, the minister said the ministry is implementing several strategic programmes, including a Shs1.863 trillion salary enhancement programme aimed at achieving full target pay by the 2027/28 financial year.

Other ongoing initiatives include the automation of logistics and pension management systems, implementation of the food and feeds programme, construction of the MODVA/UPDF headquarters expected to be commissioned by September 30, 2026, establishment of in-house fuel storage facilities and continued implementation of the 30,000-unit housing programme, with 1,000 houses already completed.

Parliament’s support sought

Kiwanuka appealed to Parliament to support peace support operations, enact legislation establishing an autonomous body to manage the UPDF National Referral Hospital and grant duty-free status to the Defence Forces Shop.

He also urged MPs to continue monitoring government flagship projects under the ministry to ensure timely implementation.

The minister acknowledged several challenges affecting the ministry, including budget constraints, delayed release of African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) funds, inflation, geopolitical instability in the Middle East and Eastern Europe, inadequate housing for UPDF personnel, the absence of duty-free status for the Defence Forces Shop and limited capitalisation.

“I am calling upon the committee to help the ministry to support us on initiatives and missions on peace and security of the army and ministry to enhance our capacity and status and continue monitoring our projects because these activities sit within your constituencies,” Kiwanuka told the committee.