The Minister of Defence and Veterans Affairs, Hon. Kiryowa Kiwanuka, has presented the state of the Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs (MODVA) and the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF), highlighting achievements, ongoing programmes, accountability issues and resource requirements before the Parliamentary Committee on Defence and Internal Affairs.

Kiwanuka appeared before the committee on Tuesday, chaired by Hon. Robina Rwakoojo, together with the Minister of State for Defence for Veterans Affairs, Hon. Huda Oleru Abason, and the Minister of State for Defence for General Duties, Hon. Grace Ngabirano Akifeza.

The minister briefed the committee on the mandate of the UPDF and key achievements recorded between 2021 and 2026 during the 11th Parliament.

He reiterated that the UPDF derives its mandate from Article 208 of the 1995 Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, which provides for the establishment of a non-partisan, national, patriotic, professional, disciplined and productive armed force subordinate to civilian authority.

Kiwanuka said the UPDF is responsible for protecting Uganda’s sovereignty and territorial integrity while ensuring respect for human rights, the rule of law and good governance.

He told lawmakers that MODVA and the UPDF had registered several milestones during the period under review, including maintaining peace and security during elections through a proactive security posture and effective management of the internal security situation.

The minister also highlighted efforts to strengthen military capacity through the acquisition, refurbishment and maintenance of strategic equipment to improve the UPDF’s response to existing and emerging security threats.

According to Kiwanuka, the UPDF continued recruitment in line with Article 208(2) of the Constitution, with an average of 10,000 personnel recruited annually over the past five years to meet manpower requirements.

He added that the force has continued investing in professional development locally and abroad. In 2022, MODVA established the National Defence College – Uganda (NDC-U) to provide advanced military and strategic training for senior military and civilian officials. Since its establishment, the college has graduated 83 students through four intakes, averaging about 20 students annually, with plans to increase the intake to 30 students through participation of other Ministries, Departments and Agencies.

On welfare, Kiwanuka said the ministry has implemented phased salary and pension enhancements since 2022 in line with budget allocations. He noted that pensions were increased proportionately and that the ministry paid Shs 540,459,485,488 in pensions while ensuring full and timely payment of the pension payroll.

The minister said MODVA continues to provide preventive, curative, rehabilitation, palliative and psychosocial services to UPDF personnel, their families and surrounding communities. He added that construction of the 250-bed UPDF National Referral Hospital is ongoing, with outpatient services already operational.

He also highlighted infrastructure developments, including construction of housing units for UPDF personnel, joint strategic headquarters office blocks, a new administration block at Air Force Headquarters and an SFC Airborne administration block.

In veterans’ affairs, Kiwanuka said the ministry has improved support for veterans through payment of gratuity before retirement, timely pension payments and engagement in productive activities aimed at promoting socio-economic development and food security through NEC, the Department of Production and Welfare and veterans’ SACCOs.

The minister told the committee that ongoing programmes include a Shs 1,863,290,218,680 salary enhancement programme expected to achieve the full target pay in the financial year 2027/28, automation of logistics and pension systems, the food and feeds programme, and construction of the MODVA/UPDF headquarters expected to be completed and commissioned by September 30, 2026.

Other projects include establishing in-house UPDF fuel storage facilities and the 30,000-unit housing programme, under which 1,000 units have so far been completed.

Kiwanuka asked Parliament to support the ministry’s efforts in peace support operations, the creation of an autonomous body for the UPDF National Referral Hospital through separate legislation, and granting duty-free status to the Defence Forces Shop.

He also requested continued parliamentary monitoring of national flagship projects to ensure timely delivery.

The minister cited challenges affecting the ministry, including inadequate budget allocations, delayed release of AUSSOM funds, inflationary pressures, geopolitical instability in the Middle East and Eastern Europe, inadequate housing accommodation for UPDF personnel, lack of duty-free status for DFSUL 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.

The minister was accompanied by senior officials from different UPDF units and formations.