The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) Act of 2005 plays a crucial role in regulating and establishing Uganda’s military, in accordance with the 1995 Constitution, which stipulates that the army is subordinate to civilian authority.
The roots of a centralized military organization in Uganda can be traced back to the British colonial period, when Colonel Henry Edward Colville established the six-company Uganda Rifles in 1895. Prior to this, native kingdoms such as Buganda and Bunyoro had their own formidable armies, but they were unable to resist British conquest effectively. This led to the amalgamation of diverse societies into present-day Uganda.
Colville’s Uganda Rifles evolved into a Battalion and eventually became part of the 4 Kings African Rifles (KAR), and later the 7 KAR, whose personnel were recruited from colonies across East Africa. By 1914, at the onset of World War I, the Regiment had grown to approximately 2,319 troops. During the war, its numbers swelled to around 32,000, including medical and engineering specialists. After World War I, the Regiment retained a significant portion of its strength, demonstrating its importance in colonial endeavors.
The colonial army’s primary function was to enforce British rule over the natives, through means such as tax collection, forced labor, and maintaining law and order. Consequently, recruits, primarily from northern Uganda, were selected based on physical prowess, continuing a pattern established during the colonial era.
Unlike its predecessors, the Kings African Rifles, which fought alongside Britain in both World Wars, the Uganda Army was formed upon the country’s independence in 1962. Its initial strength of 700 personnel grew rapidly to 6,250 within three years, with recruitment still favoring individuals from northern Uganda.
Under the post-independence administration, the Defence Minister oversaw the army, which saw improvements in equipment and formation. However, by the time Idi Amin assumed power in 1971, the army’s strength had increased to 8,500, although a significant portion of its personnel remained illiterate or semi-literate.
Amin’s overthrow in 1979 ushered in the Uganda National Liberation Army (UNLA), which incorporated elements of both British and Warsaw Pact military doctrines. In 1986, the National Resistance Army (NRA), led by Yoweri Museveni, seized power and later transformed into the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), as outlined in the 1995 Constitution.
During the early 1990s, the UPDF underwent a transformation from a ragtag force into a conventional army, culminating in mass retrenchments as part of broader public sector reforms. Between 2000 and 2004, a comprehensive review of the military’s capabilities and structures was conducted, leading to the enactment of the UPDF Act in 2005.
The UPDF Act outlines the core mission of the UPDF, which includes protecting Uganda’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as cooperating with civilian authorities in handling non-military emergencies. The force is organized into different services, including Land Forces, Air Force, Special Forces, and Reserve Force, each with specific roles and responsibilities.
Recently, the Defence Council approved a revised Establishment document for the UPDF, aimed at enhancing command, control, communication, and information capabilities, as well as improving interoperability with partners and allies.