Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs (Uganda)

The Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs (MODVA) is a government ministry responsible for the national defence and security of Uganda.[1] In this capacity, its role is to preserve, defend and protect the people, property, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Uganda, contributing to regional stability and supporting international peace initiatives.[2]

Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs
Coat of Arms of Uganda
Ministry overview
TypeMinistry
JurisdictionGovernment of Uganda
HeadquartersChwa II Road, Mbuya
Kampala, Uganda
Ministry executive
WebsiteHomepage

History
Main article: Uganda People's Defence Force

During the colonial days, the national defence forces were named King's African Rifles (KAR). Later the name changed to Uganda Rifles (UR) and then Uganda Army (UA). The force that fought the Uganda Bush War, from 8 February 1981 to 26 January 1986, was called the National Liberation Army. In 1995, when a new constitution was promulgated, the name was changed to Uganda People's Defence Force.[3]

Location

The headquarters of the ministry are located in the Mbuya Military Barracks, on Chwa II Road, in the Nakawa Division of the city of Kampala, Uganda's capital and largest city.[4][5][6]

Overview

The ministry oversees the Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF). This ensures that the UPDF is ultimately answerable to the people of Uganda, while it remains professional, with focus on protecting its citizens, defending national sovereignty and contributing to regional stability.[7]

Command
  • Defence Minister: Vicent Bamulangaki Sempijja [8]
  • State Minister for Defence: Oboth Oboth Markson [9]
  • Chief of Defence Forces: Gen. Wilson Mbasu Mbadi [10][11]
  • Deputy Chief of Defence Forces: Lt. Gen. Peter Elwelu[10]
  • Joint Chief of Staff: Maj. Gen. Leopold Kyanda
  • Service Chiefs
    • Land Forces Commander: Maj. General Kayanja Muhanga (since October 2022)[10]
    • Land Forces Chief of Staff: Bob Ogik (since December 2016)[12]
    • Air Force Commander: Lt. General Charles Lwanga Lutaaya (since January 2017)[13]
    • Special Forces Command Commander: brig gen peter onzi chandia (since December 2020)[14]
    • Reserve Forces Commander: Lt. General Charles Otema (since January 2017)[13]
    • UPDF Marine Forces Commander: Brig Gen Micheal Nyarwa
  • Headquarters Staff
    • Chief of personnel & administration': Brig. Gen. Eugenie Ssebugwawo
    • Chief of military intelligence: Major General James Birungi
    • Chief of training and recruitment: Brigadier General Mathew Gureme
    • Chief of logistics and engineering: Brigadier Charles Bakahumura (since January 2017)[10]
    • Chief of communications and information technology: Brigadier Michael Bossa (June 2016)
    • Chief of communications and information: Colonel Victor Twesigye
    • Chief political commissar: Major General Henry Masiko (since January 2017)[15]
    • Chief controller of finance: Colonel Baguma Mugume
    • Chief of civil-military relations: Brigadier Gen. Rwashande
    • Chief of doctrine: Lt. General Pecos Kutesa
    • Chief of legal services: Brigadier Gen. Dr. Godard Busingye
    • Chief of production: Brigadier Jacob Musajjawaza
    • Chief of records: Colonel Arthur Musinguzi
    • Commander of military police: Maj. Gen. Don Naabasa[16]
    • Director of medical services: Maj. Gen.Ambrose Musinguzi
    • General court martial: Brig. Gen Robert Freeman Mugabe
    • Chief of pensions and gratuity: Colonel Metland Bitumbika
    • Commissioner National Secretariat of Patriotism Corps: Brigadier General Patrick Mwesigye

Organisational structure

Administratively, the ministry is organised into three departments: the Department of Administration, Department of Finance, and Department of Logistics. The Permanent Secretary is the Chief Executive and Chief Accounting Officer for the entire ministry.[7]

Leadership

The ministry is headed by a cabinet minister. The Minister of Defence, since June 2021, is Vincent Ssempijja.[17]

List of ministers

See also

References
  1. GOU (15 October 2016). "Government of Uganda: Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs". Kampala: Government of Uganda (GOU). Archived from the original on 19 November 2017. Retrieved 15 October 2016.
  2. Our Reporter (28 October 2014). "UPDF sends 2700 troops to Somalia, names new Commander". Daily Monitor. Kampala. Retrieved 15 October 2016.
  3. MoDVA (20 October 2016). "About UPDF". Kampala: Uganda Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs (MoDVA). Retrieved 20 October 2016.
  4. John V Sserwaniko (14 May 2007). "Uganda: Defence Headquarters to Relocate to Mbuya". Daily Monitor via AllAfrica.com. Kampala. Retrieved 15 October 2016.
  5. Matsiko, Grace (25 December 2007). "Uganda: Defence Shifts From Bombo to Mbuya". Daily Monitor via AllAfrica.com. Kampala. Retrieved 15 October 2016.
  6. Google (15 October 2016). "Location of the Headquarters of the Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs (Uganda)" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved 15 October 2016.
  7. GOU (20 October 2016). "Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs (Uganda)". Kampala: Government of Uganda (GOU). Archived from the original on 19 November 2017. Retrieved 20 October 2016.
  8. For example, see Tarehe Sita no. 29 of March 2016.
  9. Kasasira, Risdel (27 November 2014). "Who is who? List of UPDF top brass and what they do". Daily Monitor. Kampala. Archived from the original on 28 November 2016. Retrieved 15 January 2017.
  10. Kafeero, Stephen (10 January 2017). "Gen Katumba out, Gen Muhoozi appointed new UPDF commander". Daily Monitor. Kampala. Archived from the original on 16 January 2017. Retrieved 15 January 2017.
  11. Kato, Joshua (24 May 2013). "Wilson Mbasu Mbadi new CDF". New Vision. Kampala. Archived from the original on 9 January 2017. Retrieved 8 January 2017.
  12. "Brigadier Kyanda replaced as UPDF Chief of Staff". Daily Monitor. Kampala. 20 December 2016. Archived from the original on 9 January 2017. Retrieved 8 January 2017.
  13. "Appointments, transfers and promotions in the Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF)". Kampala: President Yoweri Museveni. 10 January 2017. Archived from the original on 10 December 2017. Retrieved 15 January 2017.
  14. Kasasira, Risdel (16 December 2020). "Maj Gen Birungi Replaces Don Nabasa As SFC Commander". Daily Monitor. Kampala. Retrieved 12 June 2019.
  15. "Uganda president names first female Major General". The East African. Nairobi. 13 January 2017. Archived from the original on 14 January 2017. Retrieved 15 January 2017.
  16. Previous commander of military police was Brigadier William Bainomugisha (since April 2017) (Mugume, Paul (12 April 2017). "Gen Elweru Preaches Peace as Brig Sabiiti Takes Over Military Police Command". www.chimpreports.com. Archived from the original on 21 April 2017. Retrieved 3 May 2017.)
  17. @maaif_uganda (June 22, 2021). "Hon. Vincent Bamulangaki Ssempijja will be serving as Minister for Defense and Veteran Affairs, having been replaced by the Honorable Frank Tumwebaze, the new Minister for Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries" (Tweet). Retrieved January 19, 2022 – via Twitter.
  18. Mukasa, Henry (2 June 2006). "Ministries Allocated". New Vision. Kampala. Archived from the original (Archived from the original on 11 December 2014) on 11 December 2014. Retrieved 18 April 2019.
  19. "Museveni appoints his wife to key ministry in new cabinet". Africanews. 7 June 2016. Retrieved 28 August 2022.
  20. New Vision (9 June 2021). "President Museveni names new Cabinet". New Vision. Kampala, Uganda. Retrieved 16 July 2021.

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