Museveni credited the Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba with supporting efforts to channel resources towards military infrastructure.
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has today commissioned new accommodation facilities for personnel of the Special Forces Command (SFC) at Nakasero, describing the investment as part of efforts to improve the welfare, discipline and operational readiness of Uganda’s armed forces.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, President Museveni, who is also the Commander-in-Chief of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), said the investment reflects 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 means institutions should plan according to what they can afford rather than attempting projects beyond their means.
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President 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.
President Museveni also noted that the force had over time faced another challenge—corruption—and stressed the importance of ensuring that soldiers and commanders are properly accommodated in organised facilities.
He credited the Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba with supporting efforts to channel 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,” President Museveni said.
He said accommodating soldiers together was not only a welfare matter but also had a strategic dimension, particularly during times of conflict.
“Now that we have a bit of money, let’s address that,” he said.
President Museveni commended State House Comptroller Jane Barekye and the technical team involved in delivering the project, particularly Prof. John Stanley Ralph Senfuma, whom he said had done a good job.
Ms. Barekye thanked the President for entrusting the State House with the project and providing the resources required to complete it.
“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.
She credited the successful completion of the project to teamwork among the State House Estates Department, consultants, contractors and SFC personnel.
Ms. Barekye said the Estates Department provided technical supervision, while consultants led by Prof. Senfuma were responsible for quality monitoring and ensuring timely delivery.
She also thanked the SFC for its cooperation and support throughout the construction process.
According to Ms. Barekye, the project started in 2023 and was completed in 2025, with the two dormitory blocks providing accommodation for 518 people.
The Commander of the Special Forces Command, Maj. Gen. Asaph Mweteise Nyakikuru, described the commissioning as an important occasion for the SFC and welcomed the President on behalf of 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,” Maj. Gen. Nyakikuru said.
He said the investment demonstrates 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.
Maj. Gen. 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 the personnel who will occupy them to take care of the structures and ensure their proper 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,” Prof. 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.
Prof. Senfuma also highlighted the local expertise behind the project, saying the construction was carried out entirely by Ugandans.
“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 President Museveni for the trust placed in the technical team and said the project forms part of broader efforts to improve facilities serving Uganda’s security institutions.
Also in attendance were senior SFC commanders and State House administrators.
