Defence and Veterans Affairs Minister Kiryowa Kiwanuka has outlined the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces’ achievements over the past five years, while asking Parliament to support the military in addressing funding gaps, welfare needs and strategic projects.
Mr Kiwanuka appeared before the Parliamentary Committee on Defence and Internal Affairs on Tuesday, August 5, 2026, where he presented the state of the Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs (MODVA), accountability matters and resource requirements.
The minister attended the session with the Minister of State for Defence for Veterans Affairs Huda Oleru Abason and the Minister of State for Defence for General Duties Grace Ngabirano Akifeza.
He told the committee, chaired by Robina Rwakoojo, that the UPDF had maintained national security, expanded its capacity and improved the welfare of soldiers and veterans between 2021 and 2026.
Mr Kiwanuka said the UPDF continues to operate under Article 208 of the 1995 Constitution, which defines it as a non-partisan, national, professional and disciplined force that remains under civilian authority.
“The UPDF is mandated to protect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Uganda, ensuring non-violability of people and individual rights, the rule of law and good governance,” he said.
The minister said the army sustained peace during the election period through what he described as a proactive security approach and effective management of internal security threats.
He added that the force had strengthened its operational readiness through the acquisition, refurbishment and maintenance of strategic equipment to respond to emerging security challenges.
On manpower, Mr Kiwanuka said the UPDF had recruited an average of 10,000 personnel annually over the past five years in line with constitutional requirements and its establishment needs.
He also highlighted improvements in military training, including the creation of the National Defence College-Uganda in 2022 to provide advanced strategic training for senior military and civilian officials.
The college has graduated 83 students through four intakes, with plans to increase annual admissions from about 20 to 30 students by including officials from other government institutions.
The minister said the government had continued to improve the welfare of soldiers through phased salary and pension adjustments since 2022.
He said the ministry paid Shs540.4 billion in pensions and maintained full and timely payment of pension obligations.
In the health sector, Mr Kiwanuka said MODVA continued to provide medical services to soldiers, their families and nearby communities.
He cited the construction of the 250-bed UPDF National Referral Hospital as one of the ministry’s major projects, with outpatient services already operational.
The minister also pointed to education programmes for soldiers’ children, infrastructure development and welfare initiatives, including the Defence Forces Shop, housing projects and new administrative facilities.
He said the ministry was implementing a 30,000-unit housing programme for UPDF personnel, with 1,000 units already completed.
On veterans’ affairs, Mr Kiwanuka said the ministry had improved support through timely pension payments, retirement gratuity and programmes aimed at helping former soldiers engage in productive economic activities.
He told MPs that ongoing projects included a Shs1.86 trillion salary enhancement programme aimed at achieving the targeted pay structure by the 2027/28 financial year.
Other planned interventions include automation of logistics and pension systems, a food and feeds programme, construction of the MODVA/UPDF headquarters and establishment of fuel storage facilities.
The headquarters project is expected to be completed and commissioned by September 30, 2026.
However, Mr Kiwanuka said the ministry faced challenges, including inadequate funding, delayed release of African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) funds, inflation pressures and global security uncertainties.
He also raised concerns over limited housing for UPDF personnel, lack of duty-free status for the Defence Forces Shop and insufficient capitalisation for some projects.
The minister asked Parliament to support peace support operations, approve legislation to create an autonomous body for the UPDF National Referral Hospital and continue monitoring major national projects.
“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,” he said.
Mr Kiwanuka was accompanied by senior UPDF officials from various units and formations.