President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has commissioned new accommodation facilities for personnel of the Special Forces Command (SFC) in Nakasero, describing the investment as part of efforts to improve the welfare, discipline and operational readiness of Uganda’s armed forces.
Museveni, who is also the Commander-in-Chief of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF), said the investment reflected a principle that guided the National Resistance Army (NRA) from its early years: institutions should prioritise what is most essential and develop according to their means.
Quoting a Banyankole proverb, the President said, “The shape of the head determines the hairstyle.”
He explained that the principle requires institutions to plan according to what they can afford rather than undertaking projects beyond their means.
Museveni recalled that when the NRA began its armed struggle, it had only 27 guns while facing an army of about 60,000 soldiers.
“That is why we did not make the mistake of the old armies of Amin and Obote. They started with remuneration, paying soldiers very well and building barracks for them,” he said.
The President said the NRA instead prioritised weapons and training, while welfare was progressively improved as resources became available.
“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,” he said.
He said the approach enabled the force to gradually build its capabilities, including acquiring advanced equipment, expanding its numbers and investing in military accommodation.
Museveni also pointed to corruption as another challenge the force had faced over the years and stressed the importance of ensuring that soldiers and commanders are properly accommodated in organised facilities.
He credited Chief of Defence Forces Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba with supporting efforts to direct resources towards military infrastructure.
“He would get that money which was used for operations and instead use it to build barracks. We were always insisting that commanders must stay in the barracks,” Museveni said.
He said accommodating soldiers together was not only a welfare matter but also had a strategic dimension, particularly during periods of conflict. “Now that we have a bit of money, let’s address that,” he said.
518 SFC personnel to occupy new dormitories
State House Comptroller Jane Barekye thanked Museveni for entrusting State House with the project and providing the resources required for its completion.
“Thank you, Mzee, for believing in us to serve and for the support in terms of resources to deliver this assignment in time. We promise to serve you at all times, Your Excellency,” she said.
Barekye credited the completion of the project to collaboration between the State House Estates Department, consultants, contractors and SFC personnel.
She said the Estates Department provided technical supervision, while consultants led by Prof. John Stanley Ralph Senfuma monitored quality and timely delivery.
The project started in 2023 and was completed in 2025, according to Barekye, with the two dormitory blocks providing accommodation for 518 people.
She also thanked the SFC for its cooperation and support throughout the construction process.
Museveni commended Barekye and the technical team involved in delivering the project, particularly Prof. Senfuma, whom he said had done a good job.
SFC commander highlights wider investment
The Commander of the SFC, Maj Gen Asaph Mweteise Nyakikuru, described the commissioning as an important occasion for the command.
“On behalf of the SFC, it is my honour to welcome you on this important occasion of the opening of these dormitories for our soldiers,” Nyakikuru said.
He said the investment demonstrated the commitment to improving the welfare and professional development of SFC personnel, adding that better accommodation contributes to the morale and effectiveness of the force.
Nyakikuru also highlighted other areas of investment within the SFC, including technology, command centres, situational awareness, coordination and decision-making systems.
He thanked the State House Comptroller and the teams involved in delivering the facilities and urged personnel who will occupy the dormitories to take care of the structures and ensure their proper maintenance.
Senfuma stresses quality and maintenance
Prof. John Stanley Ralph Senfuma, the technical adviser to the project, said the team had been tasked with improving the living conditions of soldiers while ensuring that the facilities met the required standards.
“We have not compromised on the quality because our objective is to deliver work of a quality that should not shame you for having tasked us to do it,” Senfuma said.
He emphasised the need for regular maintenance and proper budgeting to preserve the facilities, noting that even high-quality buildings require consistent maintenance.
Senfuma also highlighted the role of Ugandan professionals and workers in the construction.
“This work has been done by Ugandans, 100 percent. There is misinformation among some people that you have to hire foreign labour. These people can work if they have proper management and support,” he said.
He thanked Museveni for the trust placed in the technical team and said the project formed part of broader efforts to improve facilities serving Uganda’s security institutions.
Senior SFC commanders and State House administrators attended the commissioning ceremony.