Muhoozi Opens Defence Strategic Retreat

Gen Muhoozi chairing the Defence retreat this past weekend

Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has opened the military’s annual strategic retreat, bringing together senior commanders and civilian officials to review the performance of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) and set priorities for the 2026/27 financial year amid ongoing security operations at home and abroad.

The three-day retreat, being held at the Defence Intelligence and Security Headquarters in Mbuya, serves as the military’s principal planning forum, where senior commanders assess operational performance, resource allocation and institutional reforms before presenting recommendations to the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs (MoDVA).

Kainerugaba chaired the first two days of the conference over the weekend, leading discussions on performance reviews, coordination and strategic planning.

The retreat is due to conclude on Tuesday when Defence Minister Jacob Oboth Oboth is expected to receive the UPDF’s consolidated strategic priorities and formally close the meeting.

Military officials said the annual exercise is intended to “align the ministry’s strategic objectives with Uganda’s evolving security environment and inform defence spending for the 2026/27 budget.”

The meeting brings together top UPDF commanders and senior MoDVA technocrats, including Under-Secretary for Finance and Administration Edith Butuuro, in a bid to strengthen coordination between the military and the civilian leadership responsible for defence policy and budgeting.

Defence officials attending the meeting

The retreat comes as Kainerugaba pushes an ambitious reform agenda within the armed forces that has focused on improving accountability, tackling corruption and abuse of office, modernising military infrastructure and enhancing operational readiness.

In recent months, the CDF has overseen the commissioning of new military aircraft, accelerated construction of soldiers’ accommodation and expanded procurement of equipment aimed at improving the UPDF’s mobility and logistics capabilities.

He has also repeatedly urged commanders to improve discipline and stewardship of public resources.

The strategic review also takes place as Uganda’s military remains heavily engaged beyond its borders.

The UPDF continues to conduct joint operations against the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo while maintaining one of the largest troop contingents under the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia, where Ugandan forces are supporting efforts to combat Islamist insurgents.

The outcomes of the retreat are expected to shape defence policy and expenditure for the coming financial year, with priorities likely to include force modernisation, troop welfare, intelligence capabilities, training and sustaining ongoing regional security operations.