KAMPALA — Construction of the new Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs (MoDVA) and Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) headquarters in Mbuya has reached 87 percent completion, with the facility expected to be commissioned in December 2026.
Chief of Defence Forces Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba commended the UPDF Engineering Brigade for the progress during a site inspection on Monday.
Gen Kainerugaba praised the engineers and other construction personnel for their commitment to the project and assured them that their efforts would be recognised when the facility is handed over.
The project, which broke ground in August 2024, is being constructed entirely by the UPDF Engineering Brigade.
It was initiated to address the fragmented office arrangements of the Defence Ministry and military leadership by establishing a consolidated command and administrative complex.
The new headquarters is designed as a twin-tower complex to bring together the civilian ministry and operational military leadership.
The facility includes communication hubs, command installations and digital operational systems intended to support coordination and decision-making.
Security infrastructure at the site has also been upgraded, including a two-kilometre perimeter fence, modernised quarter guards and alternative access routes.
According to the Defence Press Unit, the project accelerated after Gen Kainerugaba directed the engineers to shorten the construction timeline while maintaining quality standards.
Once completed, the facility is expected to replace several older administrative units on Mbuya Hill and provide a central headquarters for the country’s defence administration and military command.
During the inspection, Gen Kainerugaba was guided around the site by Col James Lwegaba, Joint Staff Engineering; Col Robert Chabo, the project engineer; and Capt Kikomeko Kigongo, the site engineer.
The inspection was attended by UPDF Chief of Joint Staff Lt Gen Jack Bakasumba, MoDVA Undersecretary Edith Butuuro and other senior UPDF and ministry officials.