By Our Staff Reporter

Kampala, Uganda | September 16, 2026
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has commissioned new accommodation facilities for personnel of the Special Forces Command (SFC) at Nakasero, Kampala, as part of efforts to improve the welfare, discipline and operational readiness of Uganda’s armed forces.

The newly completed facilities include two dormitory blocks with a combined capacity to accommodate 518 SFC personnel. The project was initiated in 2023 and completed in 2025 under the supervision of the State House Estates Department.

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, President Museveni, who is also the Commander-in-Chief of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), said the investment reflects a long-standing principle of prioritising essential needs while developing institutions according to available resources.

The President used a Banyankole proverb, “The shape of the head determines the hairstyle,” to emphasise the importance of planning and investing according to an institution’s means.

Museveni recalled that when the National Resistance Army (NRA) began its armed struggle, it had only 27 guns while facing an army of about 60,000 soldiers.

He said the NRA therefore prioritised weapons and training before expanding investment in areas such as soldiers’ welfare and accommodation.

“What a soldier needs, apart from food and some clothes, is weapons and training. Even if that is all you have, you can still fight,” Museveni said.

The President said the force gradually expanded its capabilities and later invested more resources in military infrastructure, including organised accommodation for soldiers and commanders.

He also linked proper accommodation to discipline and operational effectiveness, noting that keeping soldiers together in organised facilities has strategic importance, particularly during periods of conflict.

Museveni credited UPDF Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba for supporting efforts to direct resources towards the construction of military infrastructure.

The President commended State House Comptroller Jane Barekye and the technical team involved in delivering the Nakasero project, particularly Prof. John Stanley Ralph Senfuma, for what he described as good work.

Barekye thanked the President for entrusting State House with the project and providing the resources required for its completion.

She said the project was successfully delivered through cooperation between the State House Estates Department, consultants, contractors and SFC personnel.

According to Barekye, the Estates Department provided technical supervision, while consultants led by Prof. Senfuma monitored quality and ensured that the project was delivered on time.

The Commander of the Special Forces Command, Maj. Gen. Asaph Mweteise Nyakikuru, said the new facilities represent an important investment in the welfare and professional development of SFC personnel.

He said improved accommodation contributes to the morale and effectiveness of soldiers while also supporting the command’s broader operational objectives.

Maj. Gen. Nyakikuru also highlighted other areas of investment within the SFC, including technology, command centres, situational awareness systems, coordination and decision-making capabilities.

He urged personnel who will occupy the new facilities to take responsibility for their maintenance and ensure that the structures remain in good condition.

Prof. Senfuma, the project’s technical adviser, said the construction team focused on improving the living conditions of soldiers while maintaining the required construction standards.

He stressed that regular maintenance and proper budgeting would be essential to preserving the facilities over the long term.

Prof. Senfuma also highlighted the role of Ugandan professionals and workers in the project, saying the construction was undertaken entirely by Ugandans.

“This work has been done by Ugandans, 100 percent,” he said, arguing that local professionals can deliver major projects when given proper management and support.

The commissioning was attended by senior SFC commanders, State House administrators and other officials involved in the construction and delivery of the facilities.