Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba Breaks Ground for State-of-the-Art Defence Ministry Headquarters in Mbuya
Frank Semata 
The Commander of Defence Forces (CDF), Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, officially launched the construction of the new headquarters for the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs in Mbuya, Kampala.
The state-of-the-art facility, set to be completed in three years, will feature a 5-storied twin office block equipped with the latest modern technologies.
Gen Kainerugaba, accompanied by Deputy CDF, Lt Gen Sam Okiding, and other top military officials, emphasized the strategic importance of the new headquarters, highlighting its role in enhancing the operational efficiency and coordination of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces.
The Shs94 billion project, to be built by the army’s engineering brigade, reflects a significant investment in Uganda’s national security infrastructure.
“Our new headquarters will incorporate the latest technology and infrastructure to support a modern defence strategy,” Gen Kainerugaba said during the groundbreaking ceremony.
“We are not only building for today; we are building for tomorrow. This building should incorporate new technologies that will help us achieve our work as UPDF even ten to fifteen years from now.”
The new complex will also include a defence council officers' mess and other support infrastructure, designed to provide a sustainable and future-ready environment for the UPDF.
Gen Kainerugaba acknowledged that the previous headquarters had been a source of embarrassment, lacking the grandeur seen in the defence facilities of neighboring countries.
“It has not been a good image for the UPDF,” he admitted. “But thank God, we are remedying that problem. It is of strategic importance that our headquarters are accommodated in a modern and comfortable setting. This directly contributes to the operational efficiency, coordination, and capabilities of the UPDF.”
The CDF likened the new headquarters to iconic defence structures like the Pentagon in the United States, asserting that such facilities are a source of national pride. He urged the engineering brigade to expedite the construction, aiming for completion within two years instead of the planned three.
Edith Butuuro, the Undersecretary in charge of Finance at the Ministry of Defence, praised the project for bringing hope and inspiration to the UPDF leadership.
She noted that one week after his appointment as CDF, Gen Kainerugaba had directed the renovation of the ministry's main gate, marking the beginning of broader infrastructural improvements.
Gen Kainerugaba concluded by thanking President Yoweri Museveni for making the project a reality, which he said exemplifies the government's commitment to national security and defence.
