Senior military and civilian leaders have gathered in Mbuya for the Uganda People’s Defence Forces’ (UPDF) annual Defence Strategic Retreat, a key planning forum aimed at shaping the country’s defence priorities for the 2026/27 financial year.
The retreat was officially opened on Saturday by the Chief of Defence Forces, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, at the Defence Intelligence and Security Headquarters. During the opening sessions, the army chief led discussions focused on assessing institutional performance, strengthening coordination across defence structures, and identifying strategic areas that require greater attention in the coming year.
The three-day meeting provides an opportunity for the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs (MODVA) and the UPDF leadership to evaluate progress made over the past year while developing plans to respond to Uganda’s evolving security environment.
According to officials, the retreat is designed to improve strategic planning within the defence sector by ensuring that future programmes and budget priorities reflect the country’s emerging security needs. The outcomes of the discussions are expected to guide policy implementation and resource allocation during the 2026/27 financial year.
Among those attending are senior UPDF commanders and top officials from the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs, including Under-Secretary for Finance and Administration Edith Butuuro. Their participation highlights the importance of close collaboration between the military and civilian leadership in planning and managing the country’s defence agenda.
The retreat will conclude on Tuesday with General Kainerugaba presenting the conference’s key recommendations and strategic priorities to the Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs, who is expected to officially close the event.
The annual strategic retreat remains one of the defence establishment’s most important planning exercises, providing a platform for reviewing achievements, addressing operational challenges, and preparing the UPDF and the ministry to meet Uganda’s future security demands.
