The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) has adopted new strategic priorities aimed at improving efficiency, accountability and implementation of key programmes after the conclusion of a three-day annual defence strategic retreat in Kampala.
The retreat brought together senior UPDF commanders and civilian officials from the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs (MoDVA) to review performance, assess ongoing programmes and align future priorities with national security objectives.
The closing session was presided over by Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs Kiryowa Kiwanuka alongside the Minister of State for Defence, Grace Akifeza Ngabirano, and the Minister of State for Veteran Affairs, Huda Abason Oleru.
The conference was officially opened on Saturday by Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba at the Defence Intelligence and Security Headquarters in Mbuya, where he chaired discussions during the first two days focusing on performance reviews and coordination of defence priorities.
Gen. Kainerugaba said the UPDF had made progress during the 2025/26 financial year but noted that more effort was needed to improve efficiency and accelerate implementation of strategic programmes.
“The overall picture is that we are steadily moving in the right direction, even though we must work a little bit faster,” he said.
The CDF urged military commanders and ministry officials to adopt SMART priorities — Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Time-bound — to improve planning, strengthen accountability and ensure better use of resources.
“Priorities that are SMART provide value for money, improve our efficiency, and rigorously audit whatever we set out to do,” Gen. Kainerugaba said.
At the end of the retreat, Gen. Kainerugaba presented the consolidated strategic priorities to Minister Kiwanuka, paving the way for their implementation.
Kiwanuka reaffirmed the government’s commitment to building a modern, affordable and sustainable defence force while enhancing strategic partnerships to support national security and socio-economic development.
He also called for increased public awareness about the UPDF’s achievements, saying many of the force’s contributions receive limited attention.
“So much is being done, but so little is known. It is about time someone started blowing their own trumpet,” Kiwanuka said.
The minister pledged support for the UPDF’s budget priorities and backed efforts to improve public communication about the force’s role in national security and development.
He further commended Gen. Kainerugaba for what he described as rapid progress in transforming the UPDF, urging other government ministries, departments and agencies to adopt similar approaches to efficient service delivery and responsible use of public resources.
The annual strategic retreat is held to align defence planning and budget priorities with Uganda’s broader national security objectives ahead of the new financial year.
