The Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs (MODVA) is the ministry responsible for the national defence and security of the Republic of Uganda. Its role is to preserve, defend and protect the people, property, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Uganda, contributing to regional stability and supporting international peace initiatives.
Mandate
The mandate of the Ministry of Defence is derived from the Constitution of Republic of Uganda 1995 (as amended). In accordance with Articles 208 and 209, the Uganda Peoples Defence Forces (UPDF) is established and mandated to carry out the following functions:
- Defend and protect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Uganda, ensuring non-violability of peoples and individual rights, the rule of law and good governance.
- Cooperate with civilian authorities in emergence situations and in cases of natural disasters
- Foster harmony and understanding between Defence forces and civilians.
- Engage in productive activities for Natural Development.
Departments
- Finance and Administration. The Department of Finance and Administration is responsible for overseeing the financial management and administrative operations within the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs.
- Procurement and Disposal Unit. The Department of Procurement and Disposal Unit is tasked with managing the acquisition and distribution of essential resources, equipment, and materials needed by the armed forces.
- Chieftaincy of Policy and Planning. The Chieftaincy of Policy and Planning is a specialized department that conducts in-depth analysis and research on defense-related policies and strategies.
Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF)
Land Forces
The Land Forces is a branch of Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) Joint Services. Land Forces play a crucial role in Uganda’s national security and defence. Their primary responsibility is to protect Uganda’s territorial integrity, maintain peace and stability within the country, and support international peacekeeping efforts when required. The Land Force are comprised of the Marine, Artillery, Infantry and Armoured Brigade.
Air Forces
The Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces – Air Force (UPDF-AF) is a statutory institute and a service arm of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces It is established by the Defence Forces Act, 2005, Section 3 Sub section 2(b). Air Force is conscious of the fact that any threats to countries that constitute Uganda’s lifelines to the seas are threats to Uganda and this forms a basic ingredient of Uganda’s strategic Defence posture.
Special Forces Command
The Special Forces Command (SFC) is a specialized component of the Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) tasked with carrying out specialized missions or operations at a moment’s notice. The SFC while conducting its operations coordinates closely with the two main arms or services of the UPDF, that is, the Land Forces and the Air Forces. The SFC main headquarters are found in Entebbe, Wakiso District, but also has sub-units stationed in different parts of the country. SFC units working alongside the regular UPDF are also active in theatres of operations, such as South-Sudan and the Peace Keeping Mission in Somalia (AMISOM).
Reserve Forces
Uganda maintains a capability to reinforce and if necessary re-constitute the Defence Forces. A built-in reserve capability for all services must always be adequately maintained.
Welfare
- Wazalendo SACCO herein referred to as ‘WSACCO’ is a Ministry of Defence (MOD) and Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) Co-operative Society that enables its Members to come together and pool funds (Savings) so that, they can access Loans (Credit) to engage in productive activities for improving their welfare. It was registered in September 2005 with Registration Number 7419. The objectives of this Wazalendo SACCO are focused on promoting thrift among its members by allowing them to accumulate savings and providing an opportunity to borrow funds at reasonable interest rates. It aims to improve the economic and social conditions of each member, offering credit for providence, production, or both. The program responds to the changing needs and preferences of its members by offering complementary savings and credit services and other financial products. It places importance on the safety and soundness of members’ funds through appropriate risk management programs.
- Operation Wealth Creation. In July 2013, H.E the President launched Operation Wealth Creation (OWC) as an intervention aimed at efficiently facilitating national socio-economic transformation. Its focus was on raising household incomes and promoting wealth creation by transforming subsistence farmers into commercial farmers, with the ultimate goal of ending poverty. The launch followed the successful implementation and tangible outcomes of a pilot program that supported Civilian-Veterans in the “Luwero-Rwenzori Triangle.”
- The objectives of the program are aimed at promoting commercial agriculture among the masses, with a focus on boosting household incomes. This involves the equitable and timely distribution of production inputs to enhance productivity. The program also seeks to facilitate rural technological upgrading to enable smallholder farmers to become small-scale industrialists. Additionally, the program aims to stimulate local and community enterprise development across the country, and facilitate infrastructure development in rural areas. Ultimately, the program seeks to empower the 68% of the population that is outside the money economy.
- Salary Earners Scheme. The Salary Earners Scheme in the Army was implemented in the last Quarter of the Calendar Year 2005. It was part of Welfare Scheme which was implemented together with Wazalendo SACCO. The intention of the Army Leadership was to organize easy and affordable credit to UPDF Personnel through Commercial Banks as a short term strategy in order to let Wazalendo SACCO grow and take over that function. Qualification for the Salary Earners Scheme program requires a recommendation from the mother unit and accurate particulars from applicants. Applicants must have served in the UPDF for three years (officers) and four years (militants). Officers/Men being reinstated must have served for six months before applying. Additionally, applicants should not be servicing other loans.
Other Welfare Units
- Directorate of Veteran Affairs
- Chieftaincy of Mubende Rehabilitation Centre
Training Schools
- National Defence College – Uganda
- Senior Command And Staff College
- Junior Command And Staff College
- Uganda Military Academy
- Non-Commisioned Officer’s Academy
- Armoured Warfare Training School
- Uganda Military Engineering College
- Oliva Reginald Tambo Leadership School – Kaweweta
NEC, Engineering Brigade & Luwero Industries
NEC (National Enterprise Corporation) is a state-owned corporation and the commercial arm of the MoDVA/UPDF that produces goods and services that are beneficial to the Defence Forces and the general public.
Luwero Industries Ltd (LIL) is a subsidiary of the National Enterprise Corporation (NEC). Luwero Industries is involved in manufacture and engineering to support Uganda and beyond.
Achievements
The UPDF Land Forces, as a branch of the Uganda People’s Defence Force, have achieved several notable accomplishments throughout their history. These achievements span both domestic and international contexts and have contributed to Uganda’s security and regional stability. Here are some key achievements of the UPDF Land Forces:
1. Defeating Rebel Insurgencies
The UPDF Land Forces have been successful in combating various rebel groups within Uganda’s borders. Notably, they played a significant role in weakening the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), a notorious rebel group known for its brutal tactics and child abductions. While the LRA remains active in some parts of Central Africa, UPDF operations have significantly reduced the group’s strength and territorial control in Uganda.
2. Regional Peacekeeping and Stabilization:
The UPDF Land Forces have actively participated in regional peacekeeping efforts, particularly as part of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). Their involvement in Somalia has been crucial in countering the extremist group Al-Shabaab and supporting the Somali government’s efforts to stabilize the country. UPDF troops have played a vital role in helping to create a more secure environment in Somalia and prevent the spread of violence beyond its borders.
3. Supporting Regional Allies
In addition to peacekeeping, the UPDF Land Forces have supported regional allies during times of conflict. For example, they have provided assistance to the government of South Sudan during the South Sudanese Civil War, contributing to efforts to restore peace and stability in the neighboring country.
4. Disaster Relief and Humanitarian Assistance:
The UPDF Land Forces have been actively involved in providing disaster relief and humanitarian assistance during natural disasters and emergencies within Uganda and in neighboring countries. They have been instrumental in responding to floods, landslides, and other crises, providing aid and support to affected communities.
5. Counter terrorism Efforts:
The UPDF Land Forces have been actively engaged in countering terrorism within Uganda’s borders. Their efforts, along with intelligence cooperation with other nations, have helped to prevent and disrupt potential terrorist activities and maintain a relatively stable security environment.
- Building of a standard well trained officer and men core capable of adequately contributing to the fulfillment of the Uganda Air Force Mission and supporting regional campaigns.
- Participation in regional peace missions including AMISOM, and task Force operations in South Sudan
- Provision of support to the Land Forces in the defeat of 27 rebel groups in Uganda since 1986. The ability to identify and hit targets over long distances was more recently demonstrated when the forces destroyed LRA bases in DR Congo.
- Provision of support to the Land Forces in the nearly accomplished operations to disarm Karamajong Warriors.
- Its swiftness in evacuating causalities and in assisting civil authorities in search and rescue missions is commendable. The force earned the people’s praise in relief missions to Teso when the region was devastated by floods.