Gulu, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) on Wednesday officially retired 64 soldiers, including five officers, at the 4th Division barracks in Gulu. The event, marked by gratitude, caution and praise, ushered the men into a new chapter of civilian life after decades of military …
Read More »UPDF to recruit 11,500 soldiers
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Uganda People’s Defence Forces has announced a nationwide recruitment of 11,500 new soldiers this month. Major General Felix Kulaigye, Director of Defence Public Information, announced at Mbuya Military Headquarters that applicants will submit their applications through the UPDF website from July 7 to …
Read More »Female UPDF soldiers warned against lavish lifestyle
During the International Women’s Day and International Labour Day celebrations, several female soldiers, police officers and prison officers were seen marching with plaited hair Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Female Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) soldiers have been warned against plaiting their long hair that falls on their backs. According to …
Read More »UPDF raid on police: Commotion after soldiers order Wakiso DPC to undress
This incident comes barely a month after a similar raid at Lubowa Police Station, where Special Forces Command (SFC) soldiers, led by Lt. Samson Amo, reportedly beat up police officers and civilians at the station. Wakiso, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | There was commotion at Wakiso Police Division on Monday …
Read More »69 soldiers graduate in specialized weapons and anti-aircraft training
Agago, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) has passed out 69 soldiers who completed a specialized three-month training in Battalion Support Weapons and Anti-Aircraft systems. The graduation ceremony was held on Friday, April 4, 2025, at the 5 Infantry Division Training School in Labwordwong, Agago …
Read More »Soldiers tasked to invest before retirement
KAMPALA, UGANDA | THE INDEPENDENT | Brig Gen Julius Biryabarema, the director of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) pension and gratuity, has reminded serving soldiers and officers to invest if they are to enjoy their retirement from the military. Brig Gen Biryabarema stressed that sometimes, soldiers, including senior officers, …
Read More »War and the supernatural
Former Congolese soldiers recall the ritual practices used to prepare for battle ANALYSIS | DOSTIN LAKIKA | War takes a toll on soldiers’ bodies and minds. To prepare for battle, soldiers are taken through various forms of training. Part of this training aims to strip candidates of their civilian values and …
Read More »10 African countries with the largest armies
No one size fits all – smaller economies can have significant numbers of active soldiers or substantial defence budgets, as different countries prioritize different aspects of bolstering their peacekeeping efforts. SPECIAL REPORT | BIRD AGENCY | In a recent global power ranking of 145 nations, it is evident that …
Read More »UPDF Identifies Officers Accused of Torturing Suspected Motorcycle Thief
Kitgum, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Five soldiers will appear before the field court martial at Pajimo Military barracks in Kitgum district today for torturing a suspected motorcycle thief. The five soldiers were arrested after they were found to have participated in flogging the suspected thief on camera. Jimmy Segawa Ebil, …
Read More »Soldiers to declare wealth through CMI
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Inspector of Government (IGG), Beti Kamya, announced that a new portal is being created where soldiers will declare their wealth through the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI). This came after President Museveni warned against the open declaration of soldiers’ wealth through the IG, citing …
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