Defence and Veteran Affairs Minister Kiryowa Kiwanuka has said the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) now has the capacity to develop and manage its own infrastructure.
Kiwanuka cited the UPDF National Referral Hospital and the new Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs headquarters as evidence of this progress.
“The hospital and headquarters demonstrate the UPDF’s growing capacity to develop and manage its own infrastructure,” he said.
The minister made the remarks as Parliament’s Defence and Internal Affairs Committee inspected the two projects. The visit formed part of the committee’s countrywide tour of UPDF establishments.
Kiwanuka told the MPs that the referral hospital was nearing commissioning. He added that construction of the defence headquarters had reached 87.16 per cent.
He described the projects as major milestones in the army’s infrastructure development programme.
The UPDF Engineering Brigade constructed the hospital using savings from the force’s operations. The UPDF Joint Staff Health Services will manage the facility.
Construction of the defence headquarters began in September 2024. This followed its groundbreaking ceremony on August 24, 2024.
“The project is expected to be completed in December 2026, and we plan to move into the main building by the end of the year,” Kiwanuka said.
Committee chairperson Robinah Rwakoojo said the tour would help MPs assess the UPDF’s operational readiness, infrastructure and logistics. The committee also examined the welfare of soldiers and their families.
The chief executive officer of the UPDF National Referral Hospital, Brig Gen Ronald Nangamba, said the 375-bed facility would provide affordable and sustainable referral services.
It will serve UPDF personnel, their families, ministry employees and members of the public.
“Healthcare is a major component of national security, and access to affordable and quality healthcare remains a significant challenge in Uganda,” Nangamba said.
He said the hospital would improve the health and operational readiness of UPDF personnel and ministry staff. It would also support Uganda’s wider health system.
The officials who attended the inspection included the ministry’s undersecretary for finance and administration, Edith Buturo; Joint Staff Health Services head Maj Gen Dr Ambrose Musinguzi; Joint Staff Political Commissariat head Maj Gen Henry Masiko; hospital administrators; and committee members.
