Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs (Uganda)

{{Infobox government agency

|agency_name = Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs

|type = Ministry

|nativename =

|nativename_a =

|nativename_r =

|logo =

|logo_width = 150 px

|logo_caption =

|seal = File:Coat of arms of Uganda.svg

|seal_width = 150px

|seal_caption = Coat of Arms of Uganda

|picture =

|picture_width =

|picture_caption =

|formed =

|preceding1 =

|preceding2 =

|dissolved =

|superseding =

|jurisdiction = Government of Uganda

|headquarters = Chwa II Road, Mbuya
Kampala, Uganda

|region_code =

|coordinates =

|motto =

|employees =

|budget =

|minister1_name =

|minister1_pfo =

|minister2_name =

|minister2_pfo =

|deputyminister1_name =

|deputyminister1_pfo =

|deputyminister2_name =

|deputyminister2_pfo =

|chief1_name = Jacob Markson Oboth

|chief1_position =
Minister of Defence and Veterans Affairs

|chief2_name = Sarah Mateke Nyirabashitsi

|chief2_position =
State Mister of Defence and Veterans Affairs

|agency_type = Ministry

|parent_department =

|parent_agency =

|keydocument1 =

|website = [http://www.defence.go.ug/ Homepage]

|footnotes =

|map =

|map_width =

|map_caption =

}}

The Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs (MODVA) is a government ministry responsible for the national defence and security of Uganda.{{cite web |url=http://www.gov.ug/ministry/ministry-defence |title=Government of Uganda: Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs |accessdate=15 October 2016 |date=15 October 2016 |location=Kampala |publisher=Government of Uganda (GOU) |author=GOU |archive-date=19 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171119032742/http://www.gov.ug/ministry/ministry-defence |url-status=dead }} 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.{{cite web| url=http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/UPDF-sends-2700-troops-to-Somalia--names-new-Commander/688334-2502526-a6ly0g/index.html | title=UPDF sends 2700 troops to Somalia, names new Commander | accessdate=15 October 2016 | date=28 October 2014 | author=Our Reporter | newspaper=Daily Monitor | location=Kampala}}

History

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 Forces (UPDF).{{cite web |author=MoDVA |date=20 October 2016 |title=About UPDF |url=http://portal.defence.go.ug:10039/wps/portal/mod-home/armed-forces/updf-links/!ut/p/a1/xVVNc6JAEP0rm4PHOA2IDHubMu5W_Fw1biKX1IgwDsKAMAj46zNaW5WoiSa11i63prtfvX5vpgc56Ak5gm44o5LHgoa72Gk-20PAWhf0DvwiLSCtXgemxsDAk4YqmKkC-OAjcNg_fLAIkJ-_rdGwZ9_fd030iBzkuEImcolmSZxKGn7LuPRqsP0YlsI-bccKdgV6EEuLAmUbax2HNucr8yhtxxZQDOZ6bXgAdvMwDQl1gbphALkhDJw1dpQSyryFl3Em9pHLF2jGyqwqInZbRfnc55yV6cIvlu42iAXj-aIUdOX9EeTMxIeC2EMLiKI2GhntHbWT_pOCC4bsBb1gySVTOpcKFEki5gZmyEk930u9tJ6n6rQspUy-15Q7RVHUFyojXK_O4nrOavBe0zLOJHo6KUYzJYL1hgAmd0D0Fh5P7nSAfhNNTl1JZBSxsKryMihK4VaZH1EebrdFXC5PAPumDsQcaOQHHmug6X8NeMiwbV0ZUGtem-G1AadXB_y6hp1PXC4erNcOUTsnFtIr1en7V0vneNzjq_vuuGdXzXlArXFdwGEbvgzY-cTz8d8MufQKJNE0woHf7TXHuDLCTRQ9Dwa3dI7BMJPN9sFXP_ryNXokNzcvA2eQZQ!!/dl5/d5/L2dBISEvZ0FBIS9nQSEh/ |accessdate=20 October 2016 |publisher=Uganda Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs (MoDVA) |location=Kampala}}

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.{{cite web|author=John V Sserwaniko| url=http://allafrica.com/stories/200705140987.html | title=Uganda: Defence Headquarters to Relocate to Mbuya | accessdate=15 October 2016| date=14 May 2007 | newspaper=Daily Monitor via AllAfrica.com | location=Kampala}}{{cite web|title=Uganda: Defence Shifts From Bombo to Mbuya | url=http://allafrica.com/stories/200712250020.html | accessdate=15 October 2016 | date=25 December 2007 | first=Grace |last=Matsiko |newspaper=Daily Monitor via AllAfrica.com | location=Kampala}}{{google maps|

url=https://www.google.com/maps/place/0%C2%B019'36.0%22N+32%C2%B037'53.0%22E/@0.3291541,32.6195112,2290m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x0!8m2!3d0.326656!4d32.631375 | title=Location of the Headquarters of the Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs (Uganda) | accessdate=15 October 2016}}

Overview

The ministry oversees the 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.{{cite web | url=http://www.gov.ug/ministry/ministry-defence | title=Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs (Uganda) | publisher=Government of Uganda (GOU) | date=20 October 2016 | accessdate=20 October 2016 | location=Kampala | author=GOU | archive-date=19 November 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171119032742/http://www.gov.ug/ministry/ministry-defence | url-status=dead }}

= Command =

Defence Minister: Vicent Bamulangaki Sempijja For example, see Tarehe Sita no. 29 of March 2016.
State Minister for Defence: Oboth Oboth Markson {{cite web |last=Kasasira |first=Risdel |date=27 November 2014 |title=Who is who? List of UPDF top brass and what they do |url=http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Reviews/Who-is-who--List-of-UPDF-top-brass-and-what-they-do/691232-2536060-d2qq7g/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161128193039/http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Reviews/Who-is-who--List-of-UPDF-top-brass-and-what-they-do/691232-2536060-d2qq7g/index.html |archive-date=28 November 2016 |access-date=15 January 2017 |newspaper=Daily Monitor |location=Kampala}}
Chief of Defence Forces: Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba {{cite web |last=Kafeero |first=Stephen |date=10 January 2017 |title=Gen Katumba out, Gen Muhoozi appointed new UPDF commander |url=http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Gen-Katumba-out-Gen-Muhoozi-appointed-new-UPDF/688334-3511878-ljebvs/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170116153544/http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Gen-Katumba-out-Gen-Muhoozi-appointed-new-UPDF/688334-3511878-ljebvs/index.html |archive-date=16 January 2017 |access-date=15 January 2017 |newspaper=Daily Monitor |location=Kampala}}{{cite web |last=Kato |first=Joshua |date=24 May 2013 |title=Wilson Mbasu Mbadi new CDF |url=http://www.newvision.co.ug/new_vision/news/1320675/katumba-wamala-cdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170109183914/http://www.newvision.co.ug/new_vision/news/1320675/katumba-wamala-cdf |archive-date=9 January 2017 |access-date=8 January 2017 |newspaper=New Vision |location=Kampala}}
Deputy Chief of Defence Forces: Lt. Gen. Peter Elwelu
Joint Chief of Staff: Maj. Gen. Leopold Kyanda
Service Chiefs
Land Forces Commander: Maj. General Kayanja Muhanga (since October 2022)
Land Forces Chief of Staff: Bob Ogik (since December 2016){{cite web |date=20 December 2016 |title=Brigadier Kyanda replaced as UPDF Chief of Staff |url=http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Brigadier-Kyanda-replaced-as-UPDF-Chief-of-Staff/688334-3492624-gbrqai/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170109183902/http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Brigadier-Kyanda-replaced-as-UPDF-Chief-of-Staff/688334-3492624-gbrqai/index.html |archive-date=9 January 2017 |access-date=8 January 2017 |newspaper=Daily Monitor |location=Kampala}}
Air Force Commander: Lt. General Charles Lwanga Lutaaya (since January 2017){{cite web |date=10 January 2017 |title=Appointments, transfers and promotions in the Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) |url=https://www.yowerikmuseveni.com/appointments-transfers-and-promotions-uganda-peoples-defence-forces-updf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171210180130/https://www.yowerikmuseveni.com/appointments-transfers-and-promotions-uganda-peoples-defence-forces-updf |archive-date=10 December 2017 |access-date=15 January 2017 |publisher=President Yoweri Museveni |location=Kampala}}
Special Forces Command Commander: brig gen peter onzi chandia (since December 2020){{cite web |last=Kasasira |first=Risdel |date=16 December 2020 |title=Maj Gen Birungi Replaces Don Nabasa As SFC Commander |url=https://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Maj-Gen-Birungi-replaces-Don-Nabasa-SFC-Commander/688334-5153820-365whx/index.html |access-date=12 June 2019 |newspaper=Daily Monitor |location=Kampala}}
Reserve Forces Commander: Lt. General Charles Otema (since January 2017)
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)
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){{cite web |date=13 January 2017 |title=Uganda president names first female Major General |url=https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/news/Uganda-president-names-first-female-Major-General/2558-3516104-15cp50gz/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170114214726/https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/news/Uganda-president-names-first-female-Major-General/2558-3516104-15cp50gz/index.html |archive-date=14 January 2017 |access-date=15 January 2017 |newspaper=The East African |location=Nairobi}}
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 NaabasaPrevious commander of military police was Brigadier William Bainomugisha (since April 2017) ({{cite web |last1=Mugume |first1=Paul |date=12 April 2017 |title=Gen Elweru Preaches Peace as Brig Sabiiti Takes Over Military Police Command |url=http://www.chimpreports.com/gen-elweru-preaches-peace-as-brig-sabiiti-takes-over-as-military-police-commander/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170421120319/http://www.chimpreports.com/gen-elweru-preaches-peace-as-brig-sabiiti-takes-over-as-military-police-commander/ |archive-date=21 April 2017 |access-date=3 May 2017 |website=www.chimpreports.com}})
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.

Leadership

The ministry is headed by a cabinet minister. The Minister of Defence, since an April 2024, is Jacob Markson Oboth.

=List of ministers=

Apollo Milton Obote (13 April 1962 - 23 May 1965){{cite book |last1=Bidwell |first1=Robin Leonard |title=Guide to African ministers |date=1978 |publisher=R. Collings |location=London |isbn=0860360644}}
Felix Kenyi Onama (23 May 1965 - 2 February 1971)
Idi Amin (2 February 1971 - 16 June 1971)
Charles Oboth Ofumbi (16 June 1971 - 28 August 1973)
Francis Nyangweso (28 August 1973 - 27 February 1974)
Idi Amin (27 February 1974 - 12 July 1975)
Mustafa Adrisi (12 July 1975 – 8 May 1978)
Paulo Muwanga (December 1980 – July 1985)
Crispus Kiyonga (1 June 2006 - 6 June 2016){{cite web|title=Ministries Allocated |url=http://www.newvision.co.ug/D/8/12/501695 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141211112501/http://www.newvision.co.ug/D/8/12/501695 |url-status=dead |archive-date=11 December 2014 |newspaper=New Vision |date=2 June 2006 |access-date=18 April 2019 |format=Archived from the original on 11 December 2014 |first=Henry |last=Mukasa | location=Kampala}}
Adolf Mwesige (6 June 2016 - 8 June 2021){{cite news |date=7 June 2016 |title=Museveni appoints his wife to key ministry in new cabinet |language=en |work=Africanews |url=https://www.africanews.com/2016/06/07/museveni-appoints-his-wife-to-key-ministry-in-new-cabinet// |access-date=28 August 2022}}
Vincent Ssempijja (8 June 2021 - 4 April 2024){{cite web |

access-date=16 July 2021 |location=Kampala, Uganda}}{{cite web| url=https://www.newvision.co.ug/category/politics/cabinet-reshuffle-kitutu-ssempijja-dropped-as-NV_184091 |work=New Vision |title=Cabinet Reshuffle: Kitutu, Ssempijja Dropped As Barugahara, Mbadi Appointed |date=21 March 2024 |author=New Vision |

access-date=27 August 2024 |location=Kampala, Uganda}}

Jacob Markson Oboth (4 April 2024 - present){{cite web| url=https://softpower.ug/jacob-oboth-assumes-office-as-minister-of-defence/ |

title=Jacob Oboth Assumes Office As Minister of Defence |work=SoftPower |date=4 April 2024 |author=Muhamadi Byemboijana |access-date=27 August 2024 | location=Kampala, Uganda}}