UPDF RETREAT ENDS WITH CALL FOR FASTER DELIVERY, BETTER PUBLICITY.
Kiryowa: “So much is being done, but so little is known”
BY OKIDI PATRICK
MBUYA, UGANDA – The Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs has concluded its annual strategic retreat with top leadership agreeing to speed up implementation of key programs and improve how UPDF achievements are communicated to the public.
The three-day retreat ended on Monday at the Defence Intelligence and Security Headquarters in Mbuya.
The closing session was presided over by the Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs, Hon. Kiryowa Kiwanuka. He was joined by State Minister for Defence, Hon. Grace Akifeza Ngabirano and State Minister for Veteran Affairs, Hon. Dr. Huda Abason Oleru.
The Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, opened the retreat on Saturday and chaired the first two days.
Gen. Kainerugaba said the UPDF made significant progress in the 2025/26 financial year, but more needs to be done.
“The overall picture is that we are steadily moving in the right direction, even though we must work a little bit faster,” he told senior officers and MoDVA technocrats.
He directed leadership to adopt SMART priorities – Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Time-bound – to ensure value for money and accountability.
“Priorities that are SMART improve our efficiency and rigorously audit whatever we set out to do,” he said.
At the end of the retreat, Gen. Kainerugaba handed over consolidated strategic priorities to Minister Kiryowa for implementation.
Hon. Kiryowa reaffirmed government’s commitment to building a modern, affordable and sustainable UPDF.
He, however, noted that many of the force’s successes are not visible to the public.
“So much is being done, but so little is known. It is about time someone started blowing their own trumpet,” the minister said.
He pledged support for the UPDF budget priorities and called for a sustained publicity campaign to showcase the army’s role in national security and socio-economic transformation.
The minister also commended Gen. Kainerugaba for the transformation of the UPDF in a short time and challenged other ministries to copy MoDVA’s model of efficient use of resources.
Other leaders at the retreat included Deputy CDF Lt. Gen. Sam Okiding, Chief of Joint Staff Lt. Gen. Jack Bakasumba, PS Rosette Byengoma and Under-Secretary Edith Butuuro.
The annual retreat helps MoDVA align its plans with national security and development priorities ahead of the new financial year.
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