View source for Uganda People's Defence Force

{{short description|Armed forces of Uganda}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2020}}
{{Infobox national military
| name = Uganda People's Defence Force
| native_name = 
| image = 
| alt = 
| caption = Uganda People's Defence Force emblem
| image2 = Flag of the Uganda People's Defence Force (2019).svg
| alt2 = 
| caption2 = Uganda People's Defence Force flag
| motto = 
| founded = {{start date and age|1962}}
| current_form = 1995
| disbanded = 
| branches = Ugandan Land Forces<br />{{air force|Uganda}}<br>[[Ugandan Special Forces Command]]<ref name=IndepMuhoozi>Haggai Matsiko, [http://www.independent.co.ug/cover-story/7454-muhoozi Muhoozi] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130828160604/http://www.independent.co.ug/cover-story/7454-muhoozi |date=28 August 2013 }}, Independent, 2013</ref><br>Ugandan Reserve Forces
| headquarters = [[Mbuya|Mbuya Hill]], [[Kampala]], Uganda
| website = <!--{{URL|example.mil}}-->
<!-- Leadership -->| commander-in-chief = [[Yoweri Kaguta Museveni]]
| commander-in-chief_title = [[President of Uganda|Commander-in-Chief]]
| chief minister = 
| chief minister_title = 
| minister = [[Jacob Oboth-Oboth]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.softpower.ug/stable-uganda-is-a-peace-exporter-mwesige-says-as-ssempijja-takes-charge-of-defence-ministry/ |title=Stable Uganda is a Peace Exporter, Mwesige Says as Ssempijja Takes Charge of Defence Ministry |date=June 29, 2021 |website=SoftPower |access-date=July 4, 2021}}</ref>
| minister_title = [[Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs (Uganda)|Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs]]
| commander = General [[Muhoozi Kainerugaba]]
| commander_title = [[Chief of Defence Forces (Uganda)|Chief of Defence Forces]]
<!-- Manpower -->| age = 18 years of age
| conscription = 
| manpower_data = 
| manpower_age = 
| available = 
| available_f = 
| fit = 
| fit_f = 
| reaching = 
| reaching_f = 
| active = 45,000 (2022)<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.google.ro/publicdata/explore?ds=d5bncppjof8f9_#!ctype=l&strail=false&bcs=d&nselm=h&met_y=ms_mil_totl_p1&scale_y=lin&ind_y=false&rdim=region&idim=country:UGA&ifdim=region&hl=en_US&dl=en_US&ind=false | title=World Development Indicators - Google Public Data Explorer | publisher=Google.ro | date=7 October 2016 | access-date=8 January 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170109113332/http://www.google.ro/publicdata/explore?ds=d5bncppjof8f9_#!ctype=l&strail=false&bcs=d&nselm=h&met_y=ms_mil_totl_p1&scale_y=lin&ind_y=false&rdim=region&idim=country:UGA&ifdim=region&hl=en_US&dl=en_US&ind=false | archive-date=9 January 2017 | url-status=live}}</ref>
| ranked = 
| reserve = 
| deployed = <!-- Financial -->
| amount = US$1.1 billion (2024)<ref>{{cite web | url=http://databank.worldbank.org/data/reports.aspx?source=2&type=metadata&series=MS.MIL.XPND.GD.ZS | title=World Development Indicators - Military expenditure (current LCU) | access-date=8 January 2017 | publisher=The World Bank | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160708122811/http://databank.worldbank.org/data/reports.aspx?source=2&type=metadata&series=MS.MIL.XPND.GD.ZS | archive-date=8 July 2016 | url-status=live}}</ref>
| percent_GDP = 1.8% (2024)<ref>{{cite web | url=http://databank.worldbank.org/data/reports.aspx?source=2&type=metadata&series=MS.MIL.XPND.GD.ZS | title=World Development Indicators - Military expenditure (% of GDP) | access-date=8 January 2017 | publisher=The World Bank | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160708122811/http://databank.worldbank.org/data/reports.aspx?source=2&type=metadata&series=MS.MIL.XPND.GD.ZS | archive-date=8 July 2016 | url-status=live}}</ref>
<!-- Industrial -->| domestic_suppliers = [[National Enterprise Corporation]]
| foreign_suppliers = {{flag|France}}<br />{{flag|Belgium}}<br />{{flag|United Kingdom}}<br />{{flag|United States}}<br />{{flag|South Korea}}<br />{{flag|Japan}}<br />{{flag|Russia}}<br />{{flag|India}}<br />{{flag|South Africa}}<br />{{flag|China}}<br />{{flag|Brazil}}<br />{{CUB}}<br />{{flag|Mexico}}<br />{{flag|Canada}}<br />{{flag|Israel}}<br/>{{flag|North Korea}}<br />{{flag|Soviet Union}} (former)
| imports = 
| exports = <!-- Related articles -->
| history = [[List of wars involving Uganda|Military history of Uganda]]
| ranks = [[Rank insignia of the Ugandan People's Defense Force|Military ranks of Uganda]]
}}
{{Infobox political party
|name          = Parliamentary Seats
|name_native   =
|colorcode     =
|seats1_title  = Seats in the [[Parliament of Uganda]]
|seats1        = {{Composition bar|10|426|{{party color|Military rule}}}}
}}
The '''Uganda People's Defence Force''' ('''UPDF'''), previously known as the [[National Resistance Army]], is the armed forces of [[Uganda]]. From 2007 to 2011, the [[International Institute for Strategic Studies]] estimated the UPDF had a total strength of 40,000–45,000, consisting of land forces and an air wing.<ref>IISS Military Balance 2007, 297; IISS Military Balance 2011, 447.</ref> Recruitment to the forces is done annually.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Anony|date=2020-07-01|title=UPDF General Recruitment 2021-2022 {{!}} Apply Now|url=https://admissions.co.ug/updf-general-recruitment/|access-date=2021-02-05|website=Admissions|language=en-US|archive-date=2 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230202122433/https://admissions.co.ug/updf-general-recruitment/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

After Uganda achieved independence in October 1962, British officers retained most high-level military commands.<ref name="loc" /> Ugandans in the rank and file claimed this policy blocked promotions and kept their salaries disproportionately low. These complaints eventually destabilized the armed forces, already weakened by ethnic divisions.<ref name="loc" /> Each post-independence regime expanded the size of the army, usually by recruiting from among people of one region or ethnic group, and each government employed military force to subdue political unrest.<ref name="loc" />

==History==
{{main|Military history of Uganda}}
The origins of the Ugandan armed forces can be traced to 1902, when the Uganda Battalion of the [[King's African Rifles]] was formed. Ugandan soldiers fought as part of the [[King's African Rifles]] during the [[First World War]] and [[Second World War]].{{citation needed|date=August 2012}} As Uganda moved toward independence, the army stepped up recruitment, and the government increased the use of the army to quell domestic unrest.<ref name="loc" /> The army became more closely involved in politics, setting a pattern that continued after independence.<ref name="loc" /> In January 1960, for example, troops were deployed to Bugisu and [[Bukedi District|Bukedi]] districts in the east to quell political violence.<ref name="loc" /> In the process, the soldiers killed 12 people, injured several hundred, and arrested more than 1,000.<ref name="loc" /> A series of similar clashes occurred between troops and demonstrators, and in March 1962 the government recognized the army's growing domestic importance by transferring control of the military to the Ministry of Home Affairs.<ref name="loc" />

===First post-independence military, 1962–1971===
{{main|Uganda Army (1962–1971)}}
On 9 October 1962, Uganda became independent from the United Kingdom, with the 4th Battalion, [[King's African Rifles]], based at [[Jinja, Uganda|Jinja]], becoming the Uganda Rifles.<ref>J.M. Lee, 1969, 40.</ref> The traditional leader of the [[Baganda]], [[Edward Mutesa]], became president of Uganda.<ref name=loc/> [[Milton Obote]], a northerner and longtime opponent of autonomy for the southern kingdoms including Buganda, was prime minister.<ref name="loc" /> Mutesa recognized the seriousness of the rank-and-file demands for Africanising the officer corps, but was more concerned about the potential northern domination of the military, a concern that reflected the power struggle between Mutesa and Obote.<ref name="loc" /> Mutesa used his political power to protect the interests of his Baganda constituency and refused to support demands for Africanisation of the officer ranks.<ref name="loc" />

On 1 August 1962, the Uganda Rifles was renamed the "Uganda Army".<ref>Omara-Otunnu 1987, 52.</ref> The armed forces more than doubled, from 700 personnel to 1,500, and the government created the 2nd Battalion stationed at the northeastern town of [[Moroto Town|Moroto]]<ref name="loc" /> on 14 November 1963.<ref name="Ghosts of Kampala">{{Cite book|last1=Smith|first1=George Ivan|title=Ghosts of Kampala|last2=Smith|first2= George Ivan|date=1980|publisher=St. Martin's Press|isbn=978-0-312-32662-3|location=New York}}</ref> Omara-Otunnu wrote in 1987 that "a large number of men had been recruited into the Army to form this new battalion, and ... the new recruits were not given proper training" because the Army was already heavily committed to its various operations.<ref>Omara-Otunnu, 1987, 54.</ref>

In January 1964, following a mutiny by [[Tanganyika (1961–1964)|Tanganyika]]n soldiers in protest over their own Africanisation crisis, unrest spread throughout the Uganda Army.<ref name="loc" /> On 22 January 1964, soldiers of the 1st Battalion in Jinja mutinied to press their demands for a pay raise and a Ugandan officer corps.<ref name="loc" /> They also detained their British officers, several non-commissioned officers, and Minister of Interior [[Felix Onama]], who had arrived in Jinja to represent the government's views to the rank and file.<ref name="loc" /> Obote appealed for British military support, hoping to prevent the mutiny from spreading to other parts of the country.<ref name="loc" /> About 450 British soldiers from the [[History of the Scots Guards (1946–present)|2nd Battalion, The Scots Guards]] and Staffordshire Regiment (elements of the [[24th Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom)|24th Infantry Brigade]]) responded.<ref name="loc" /> They surrounded the First Battalion barracks at Jinja, seized the armory, and quelled the mutiny.<ref name="loc" /> The government responded two days later by dismissing several hundred soldiers from the army, several of whom were subsequently detained.<ref name="loc" />

Although the authorities later released many of the detained soldiers and reinstated some in the army, the mutiny marked a turning point in civil–military relations.<ref name="loc" /> The mutiny reinforced the army's political strength.<ref name="loc" /> Within weeks of the mutiny, the president's cabinet also approved a military pay raise retroactive to 1 January 1964, more than doubling the salaries of those in private to staff-sergeant ranks.<ref name="loc" /> Additionally, the government raised defense allocations by 400 percent.<ref name="loc" /> The number of Ugandan officers increased from 18 to 55.<ref name="loc" /> Two northerners, [[Shaban Opolot]] and [[Idi Amin]], assumed command positions in the Uganda Army and later received promotions to Brigadier and commander in chief, and army chief of staff, respectively.<ref name="loc" />

Following the 1964 mutiny, the government remained fearful of internal opposition.<ref name="loc" /> Obote moved the army headquarters approximately {{convert|87|km|mi}} from Jinja to Kampala.<ref name="loc" /> He also created a secret police force, the [[General Service Unit (Uganda)|General Service Unit]] (GSU) to bolster security.<ref name="loc" /> Most GSU employees guarded government offices in and around Kampala, but some also served in overseas embassies and other locations throughout Uganda.<ref name="loc" /> When British training programs ended, Israel started training Uganda's army, air force, and GSU personnel.<ref name="loc" /> Several other countries also provided military assistance to Uganda.<ref name="loc" />

Decalo writes:<ref>Herbert Howe, Ambiguous Order: Military Forces in African States, 2005, 50, citing Samuel Decalo. Coups and Army Rule in Africa, Yale University Press (1990). {{ISBN|0-300-04045-8}}, p.205</ref>
<blockquote>
using classic 'divide and rule' tactics, he [Obote] appointed different foreign military missions to each battalion, scrambled operational chains of command, played the police off against the army, encouraged personal infighting between his main military 'proteges' and removed from operational command of troops officers who appeared unreliable or too authoritative.
</blockquote>

When Congolese aircraft bombed the West Nile villages of [[Paidha]] and [[Goli, Uganda|Goli]] on 13 February 1965, Obote again increased military recruitment and doubled the army's size to more than 4,500.<ref name="loc" /> Units established included a third battalion at [[Mubende]], a signals squadron at Jinja, and an antiaircraft detachment.<ref name="loc" /> On 1 July 1965, six units were formed: a brigade reconnaissance, an army ordnance depot (seemingly located at [[Magamaga]]),<ref>[[Tony Avirgan and Martha Honey]], ''War in Uganda'', [[Zed Books|Zed Press]], London, UK, 1982, 31.</ref> a brigade signals squadron training wing, a records office, a pay and pensions office, and a Uganda army workshop.<ref>Amii Omara-Otunnu, ''Politics and the Military in Uganda 1890–1985'', [[St. Martin's Press]], New York, 1987, 72</ref><ref name="loc" />

[[File:Uganda Army OT-64 APC.jpg|thumb|A Uganda Army [[OT-64 SKOT]] armoured personnel carrier during a military parade in Kampala in the late 1960s]]
Tensions rose in the power struggle over control of the government and the army and over the relationship between the army and the Baganda people.<ref name="loc" /> During Obote's absence on 4 February 1966, a motion opposing him was introduced to parliament by [[Grace Ibingira]], which called to suspend Amin and investigate Obote and three others (including Amin) for supposedly accepting gold and ivory from Congolese rebels.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Lindemann |first1=Stefan |title=Exclusionary elite bargains and civil war onset: The case of Uganda |url=https://www.files.ethz.ch/isn/120530/WP76.2.pdf}}</ref> On 22 February, Obote arrested Ibingira and four other ministers, essentially dismantling opposition to himself in the [[Ugandan People's Congress]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Amor |first1=Meir |title=State Persecution and Vulnerability: A Comparative Historical Analysis of Violent Ethnocentrism |url=https://tspace.library.utoronto.ca/bitstream/1807/12677/1/nq41006.pdf}}</ref> Later, Amin was appointed Chief of the Army and Air Force Staff, while Brigadier Opolot was demoted to the Ministry of Defence as Chief of the Defence Staff.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Holan |first1=James |title=Amin: his seizure and rule in Uganda |url=https://scholarworks.umass.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3600&context=theses |website=scholarworks.umass.edu}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Amor |first1=Meir |title=State persecution and vulnerability, a comparative historical analysis of violent ethnocentrism |url=https://tspace.library.utoronto.ca/bitstream/1807/12677/1/nq41006.pdf}}</ref> On 24 May 1966, Obote ousted Mutesa, assumed his office as president and commander in chief, suspended the 1962 constitution, and consolidated his control over the military by eliminating several rivals.<ref name="loc" /> In October 1966 Opolot was dismissed from the army and detained under the emergency regulations then in force.

At about the same time, Obote abrogated the constitution, revoked Buganda's autonomous status, and instructed the Army to [[Battle of Mengo Hill|attack the Kabaka's palace]], forcing the Kabaka to flee. Elections were cancelled. Political loyalty rather than military skill became critical amongst both officers and men.<ref>E.A. Brett, "Neutralising the Use of Force in Uganda", ''[[Journal of Modern African Studies]]'', Vol. 33, No. 1 (Mar., 1995), 136.</ref> Many educated southern officers were court-martialled or dismissed in 1966 and 1967, and ethnicity became the key factor in recruitment and promotions.

In 1970, the [[International Institute for Strategic Studies]] (IISS) assessed the Ugandan armed forces to consist of 6,700 personnel, constituting an army of 6,250 with two brigade groups, each of two battalions, plus an independent infantry battalion, with some [[Ferret armoured car]]s, and [[BTR-40]] and [[BTR-152]] armoured personnel carriers, plus an air arm of 450 with 12 [[Fouga Magister]] armed jet trainers, and seven [[MiG-15]]s and [[MiG-17]]s.<ref>IISS Military Balance 1970–71, p. 53</ref>

===Uganda Army of Idi Amin, 1971–1979===
{{main|Uganda Army (1971–1980)}}
[[File:Idi Amin and Mobutu.jpeg|thumb|[[Idi Amin]] (left), dressed in military fatigues, visits the [[Zaire|Zairian]] dictator [[Mobutu Sese Seko|Mobutu]] in 1977. ]]

In January 1971, Amin and his followers within the army [[1971 Ugandan coup d'état|seized power in a coup d'état]].<ref>Omara-Otunnu, 1987, 98.</ref>

Shortly after the [[Expulsion of Asians from Uganda|expulsion of Asians]] in 1972, Obote launched a small invasion across the Tanzanian border into south-western Uganda.<ref name="loc" /> His small army contingent in 27 trucks set out to capture the southern Ugandan military post at [[Masaka]] but instead settled down to await a general uprising against Amin, which did not occur.<ref name="loc" /> A planned seizure of the airport at Entebbe by soldiers in an allegedly hijacked [[East African Airways]] passenger aircraft was aborted when Obote's pilot blew out the aircraft's tires, causing it to remain in Tanzania.<ref name="loc" /> Amin was able to mobilize his more reliable [[Malire]] Mechanised Regiment and expel the invaders.<ref name="loc" />

In 1976, during [[Operation Entebbe]], the [[Israel Defense Forces|Israeli military]] destroyed 12 MiG-21s and three MiG-17s based at Entebbe Airport to prevent pursuit.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/magazine/-/434746/619406/-/view/printVersion/-/1425iw1/-/index.html | title=The East African - Fallout over raid on Entebbe | access-date=26 January 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029190847/https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/magazine/-/434746/619406/-/view/printVersion/-/1425iw1/-/index.html | archive-date=29 October 2013 | url-status=dead }}</ref>

In 1977, before the [[Uganda–Tanzania War]], the Ugandan armed forces were reported by IISS as consisting of 20,000 land forces personnel, with two four-battalion brigades and five other battalions of various types, plus a training regiment.<ref>[[IISS]] Military Balance 1979–80, p.55</ref> There were a total of 35 T-34, T-55, and [[M-4 Sherman]] medium tanks. SIPRI assessed decades later that ten T-34s had been supplied from Libya in 1975–76.{{sfn|Stockholm International Peace Research Institute|2010}} An air arm was 1,000 strong with 21 MiG-21 and 10 MiG-17 combat aircraft. The IISS noted that the Uganda Army collapsed in the face of the Tanzanian onslaught and the serviceable aircraft were removed to Tanzania. Its remnants fled into exile in [[Zaire]] and Sudan, from where they launched an insurgency. Meanwhile, pro-Tanzanian rebel groups were reorganized to become Uganda's new regular military.

===UNLA, 1979–1986===
{{main|Uganda National Liberation Army}}

After the Uganda–Tanzania War, fighters available to the new government included only the fewer than 1,000 troops who had fought alongside the [[Tanzanian People's Defence Force]] (TPDF) to expel Amin.<ref name="loc" /> The army was back to the size of the original army at independence in 1962.<ref name="loc" /> Titularly, Colonel [[Tito Okello]] served as army commander and Colonel [[David Oyite Ojok]] as chief of staff,<ref>{{cite book | title=Ghosts of Kampala | last=Smith | first=George Ivan | year=1980 | publisher=[[St. Martin's Press]] | location=New York | isbn=0-312-32662-9 | page=14}}</ref> leading the Uganda National Liberation Army (UNLA).

But in 1979, in an attempt to consolidate support for the future, leaders such as [[Yoweri Museveni]] and Major General (later Chief of Staff) Ojok began to enroll thousands of recruits into what were rapidly becoming their private armies.<ref name=loc>{{Country study|country=Uganda|abbr=|editor-first=Rita M.|editor-last=Byrnes|date=December 1990|first=Thomas P.|last=Ofcansky}}</ref> Museveni's 80 original soldiers grew to 8,000; Ojok's original 600 became 24,000.<ref name="loc" /> When then-President [[Godfrey Binaisa]] sought to curb the use of these militias, which were harassing and detaining political opponents, he was overthrown in a military coup on 10 May 1980.<ref name="loc" /> The coup was engineered by Ojok, Museveni, and others acting under the general direction of [[Paulo Muwanga]], Obote's right-hand man and chair of the [[Military Commission]].<ref name="loc" /> The TPDF was still providing necessary security while Uganda's police force—which had been decimated by Amin—was rebuilt, but President [[Julius Nyerere]] of Tanzania refused to help Binaisa retain power.<ref name="loc" /> Many Ugandans claimed that although Nyerere did not impose his own choice on Uganda, he indirectly facilitated the return to power of his old friend and ally, Obote.<ref name="loc" /> In any case, the Military Commission headed by Muwanga effectively governed Uganda during the six months leading up to the national elections of December 1980.<ref name="loc" />

A Commonwealth Military Training Team - Uganda assisted the UNLA in the early 1980s.<ref>[https://cove.army.gov.au/article/long-road-australias-train-advise-and-assist-missions-edited-tom-frame Tom Frame (ed.), 'The Long Road: Australia's Train, Advise and Assist Missions,' University of New South Wales Press, 2017] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240419055408/https://cove.army.gov.au/article/long-road-australias-train-advise-and-assist-missions-edited-tom-frame |date=19 April 2024 }}; https://anzacportal.dva.gov.au/wars-and-missions/peacekeeping/operation-summaries/uganda-1982-1984.</ref>

After the Museveni government was formed in 1986, an NRA code of conduct, originally formulated in the bush in 1982, was made public. This was later formalized as Legal Notice No. 1 of 1986 (Amendment), and served as a basis for relations among soldiers and between the NRA and the public.{{sfn|Mudoola|1991|p=237-238}} After the MRM victory steps were taken to institutionalize the NRA, including the setting-up of a bureaucracy; uniforms; regimental colours; training programmes; ranks; and pay and privileges.{{sfn|Mudoola|1991|p=242}} A number of key [[Rwanda Patriotic Front]] personnel became part of the [[National Resistance Army]] that became Uganda's new national armed forces. [[Fred Rwigyema]] was appointed deputy minister of defense and deputy army commander-in-chief, second only to Museveni in the military chain of command for the nation. [[Paul Kagame]] was appointed acting chief of military intelligence. Other Tutsi refugees were highly placed: [[Peter Baingana]] was head of NRA medical services and [[Chris Bunyenyezi]] was the commander of the 306th Brigade.<ref name=mamdani172-173>[[Mahmood Mamdani]], ''When Victims Become Killers: Colonialism, Nativism, and the Genocide in Rwanda'', Princeton University Press, 2001, {{ISBN|0-691-10280-5}}, pp. 172–173</ref> Tutsi refugees formed a disproportionate number of NRA officers for the simple reason that they had joined the rebellion early and thus had accumulated more experience.<ref name=mamdani172-173/>

===Uganda Peoples' Defence Force, 1995 to present===
The NRA had been successful in its war, and its senior military officers held key political positions in the NRM. It was reduced in size under pressure from donors, unwilling to fund either an outsize army or civil service. Between 1990 and 1996 the army was reduced from 100,000 to 40,000, and the civil service from 320,000 to 156,000.<ref>{{cite journal|first1=Andrew M.|last1=Mwandi|first2=Roger|last2=Tangiri|title=Patronage Politics, Donor Reforms, and Regime Consolidation in Uganda|journal=African Affairs|volume=104|number=416|date=2005|page=456}}</ref> Yet the defence budget rose from $44 million in 1991 as far as $200 million in 2004. Somerville ascribes the budget rise to the rebellion in the north, Uganda's [[Second Congo War|military intervention in the Congo]], and "massive corruption" - 'ghost soldiers' who did not exist, whose (real) salaries were claimed by senior officers.<ref>Keith Somerville, "Africa's Long Road Since Independence," Penguin, 207, 305.</ref>

The [[National Resistance Army]] was renamed the Uganda People's Defence Force following the enactment of the 1995 Constitution of Uganda.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://portal.defence.go.ug:10039/wps/portal/mod-home/armed-forces/!ut/p/a1/vVRNU-owFP0rumApuW1Nm7rLE3RESgXRJ904AdIQbJt-BFr49UbGhYNfz5F52d3ce0_OOckNitADijK2loJpqTKWvMSR--iHQKxrsHuhH3pACeDh0OkC-K4pmJgC-GRR2OsfexTo5b03DPv-1dU1Rn9RhKJZpnO9QJNclZolR5XUvAXbz2EZ7NK-MrBPYC-V9hgwsfYKlfhSPuG9tK88YIZ1UTh8x9qcmTPB57ySIttFMzlHE9FUmzoVJ7lOU5FsNqtmWTfZbFPFKZPJdlurZvGq-AtJ3zi2U_y1Z73vXDMcaDZ1iEBRyWNe8rK9Ks1tLbTOz1rGnbqu23OTyWa8LVR7JVrwUdNCVRo9vCtGE6PRe0Og2z-HYdjBEISBAxij2x-atg8YYBsoHlj0gowssOxfAxLaAWqfk9FtxwboegcGtNwDA979miEJsA-0h_8Q93RskZtDS-7-XHLvH34LuSyKiJqZV5nmjXl9_23o8_QuJcu478aBxlOcr7fjOE0fB4MTNiXgvGz0KT0-fgaHSfDm/dl5/d5/L2dBISEvZ0FBIS9nQSEh/ |title=UPDF |access-date=14 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181014091532/http://portal.defence.go.ug:10039/wps/portal/mod-home/armed-forces/!ut/p/a1/vVRNU-owFP0rumApuW1Nm7rLE3RESgXRJ904AdIQbJt-BFr49UbGhYNfz5F52d3ce0_OOckNitADijK2loJpqTKWvMSR--iHQKxrsHuhH3pACeDh0OkC-K4pmJgC-GRR2OsfexTo5b03DPv-1dU1Rn9RhKJZpnO9QJNclZolR5XUvAXbz2EZ7NK-MrBPYC-V9hgwsfYKlfhSPuG9tK88YIZ1UTh8x9qcmTPB57ySIttFMzlHE9FUmzoVJ7lOU5FsNqtmWTfZbFPFKZPJdlurZvGq-AtJ3zi2U_y1Z73vXDMcaDZ1iEBRyWNe8rK9Ks1tLbTOz1rGnbqu23OTyWa8LVR7JVrwUdNCVRo9vCtGE6PRe0Og2z-HYdjBEISBAxij2x-atg8YYBsoHlj0gowssOxfAxLaAWqfk9FtxwboegcGtNwDA979miEJsA-0h_8Q93RskZtDS-7-XHLvH34LuSyKiJqZV5nmjXl9_23o8_QuJcu478aBxlOcr7fjOE0fB4MTNiXgvGz0KT0-fgaHSfDm/dl5/d5/L2dBISEvZ0FBIS9nQSEh/ |archive-date=14 October 2018 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

UPDF's primary focus was the conflict with the [[Lord's Resistance Army]] (LRA), a rebel group operating in the country's northern region. Since March 2002, UPDF has been granted permission to carry out operations against LRA bases across the border in [[South Sudan]]. These raids, collectively known as [[Operation Iron Fist (2002)|Operation Iron Fist]], have resulted in the repatriation of many [[abducted children]] being held by the rebels as [[child soldier]]s or [[sex slave]]s. The LRA has fled Uganda and been pushed deep into the jungles of the [[Central African Republic]] and the [[Democratic Republic of the Congo]] (DRC) (principally [[Orientale Province]]).

The UPDF has also been the subject of controversy for having a minimum age for service of 13.<ref>CIA World Factbook, [https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/uganda/], March 2012</ref> Many international organizations have condemned this as being [[military use of children]]. This has created an image problem for the UPDF and may have impacted the international aid Uganda receives. [[Western world|Western]] nations have sent a limited level of military aid to Uganda.<ref>[http://www.un.org/events/tenstories_2006/story.asp?storyID=100 Uganda: Child soldiers at centre of mounting humanitarian crisis] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090505062852/http://www.un.org/events/tenstories_2006/story.asp?storyID=100 |date=5 May 2009 }}</ref> "Between 1990 and 2002, the army payroll had at least 18,000 ghost soldiers, according to a report by General [[David Tinyefunza|David Tinyefuza]]."<ref>Joshua Kato, [http://www.sundayvision.co.ug/detail.php?mainNewsCategoryId=7&newsCategoryId=132&newsId=506988 "Assessing the cost of an army"], ''[[New Vision|Sunday Vision]]'', 30 June 2006 {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120207092705/http://www.sundayvision.co.ug/detail.php?mainNewsCategoryId=7&newsCategoryId=132&newsId=506988 |date=7 February 2012 }}</ref>

The problem continued in 2003, when there was a severe problem of "ghost" soldiers within the UPDF.<ref>The Weekly Observer, [http://www.ugandaobserver.com/new/archives/2005arch/news/jun/news200505266.php Committee wants death penalty for ghost creators] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928071245/http://www.ugandaobserver.com/new/archives/2005arch/news/jun/news200505266.php |date=28 September 2011 }}, 2005</ref> As of 2008, these personnel problems has been exacerbated by the surge of UPDF troops resigning to work with the [[Multi-National Force – Iraq|Coalition Forces]] in [[Iraq]].<ref>[http://antiamerica.wordpress.com/2008/09/02/iraq-ugandan-guards-in-iraq-face-abuse/ Iraq Ugandan Guards Face Abuse], accessed December 2008 {{webarchive | url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090518050351/http://antiamerica.wordpress.com/2008/09/02/iraq-ugandan-guards-in-iraq-face-abuse/ | date=18 May 2009 }}</ref> They mostly work as an additional guard force at control points and dining facilities, for example.

Prior to 2000, the [[United States armed forces]] trained together with the UPDF as part of the [[African Crisis Response Initiative]]. This cooperation was terminated in 2000 because of Uganda's incursion into the DRC. Following the June 2003 UPDF withdrawal of troops from the DRC, limited nonlethal military assistance has restarted. The UPDF participates in the [[African Contingency Operations Training and Assistance]] programme with the United States.

After several interventions in the Congo, the UPDF was involved in a further incursion there, from December 2008 stretching into February 2009, against the LRA in the [[Garamba]] area. UPDF special forces and artillery, supported by aircraft, were joined by the [[Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo|DRC's armed forces]] and elements of the [[Sudan People's Liberation Army]]. Called "Operation Lightning Thunder" by the UPDF, it was commanded by Brigadier [[Patrick Kankiriho]], commander of the 3rd Division.<ref>Monitor (Kampala), [http://www.monitor.co.ug/artman/publish/news/UPDF_commanders_behind_Operation_Lightning_Thunder_77161.shtml UPDF commanders behind Operation Lightning Thunder], 20 December 2008 {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090418065132/http://www.monitor.co.ug/artman/publish/news/UPDF_commanders_behind_Operation_Lightning_Thunder_77161.shtml |date=18 April 2009 }}</ref><ref>[http://www.monitor.co.ug/artman/publish/news/Bantariza_moved_in_new_UPDF_reshuffle_80356.shtml Bantariza moved in new UPDF reshuffle], February 2009 {{webarchive | url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090418065132/http://www.monitor.co.ug/artman/publish/news/UPDF_commanders_behind_Operation_Lightning_Thunder_77161.shtml | date=18 April 2009}}</ref>

In February 2023, President Museveni warned the UPDF against brutality towards civilians, and corruption.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-02-07 |title=Museveni warns UPDF against brutalising civilians |url=https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/museveni-warns-updf-against-brutalising-civilians-4113884 |access-date=2023-04-12 |website=Monitor |language=en}}</ref>

==Recent operations==

===African Union Mission in Somalia===
[[File:2017 04 Uganda CDF AMISOM FC Visit Barawe-6 (32103511035).jpg|thumb|Ugandan [[Chief of Defence Forces (Uganda)|Chief of Defence Forces]] General [[Katumba Wamala]] with Ugandan soldiers as part of AMISOM in 2017]]
The UPDF has more than 6,200 soldiers serving with the [[African Union Mission in Somalia]] (AMISOM).<ref>{{cite web | url=http://amisom-au.org/uganda-updf | title=Uganda - UPDF | work=AMISOM | access-date=2 October 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160325030744/http://amisom-au.org/uganda-updf/ | archive-date=25 March 2016 | url-status=live}}</ref> The AMISOM force commander is Kenyan [[Lieutenant General]] [[Jonathan Rono]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://amisom-au.org/mission-profile/military-component |title=AMISOM Military Component, AMISOM, accessed 2 October 2016 |access-date=2 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170321125255/http://amisom-au.org/mission-profile/military-component/ |archive-date=21 March 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> The force commander in 2009, Ugandan [[Major General]] [[Nathan Mugisha]], was wounded in a car bomb attack on 17 September 2009 that left nine soldiers dead,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://allafrica.com/stories/200909180007.html |title=allAfrica.com: Somalia: Top UPDF General Wounded in Somalia (Page 1 of 1) |access-date=19 September 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090924232536/http://allafrica.com/stories/200909180007.html |archive-date=24 September 2009 |url-status=live}}</ref> including Burundian Major General [[Juvenal Niyoyunguruza]], the second in command.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://levisionnaire-infos.blogspot.nl/2009/09/le-major-general-juvenal-niyoyunguruza.html | title=LE VISIONNAIRE: Le Major General Juvenal Niyoyunguruza trouve la mort en Somalie | work=Le Visionnaire | access-date=30 January 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150527205316/http://levisionnaire-infos.blogspot.nl/2009/09/le-major-general-juvenal-niyoyunguruza.html | archive-date=27 May 2015 | url-status=dead }}</ref>

The United States has provided extensive training for UPDF contingents headed for Somalia. In the first half of 2012, Force Recon Marines from Special Purpose [[Marine Air-Ground Task Force]] 12 (SPMAGTF-12) trained soldiers from the UPDF.<ref>Nick Turse, [http://www.alternet.org/hot-news-views/election-year-outsourcing-no-ones-talking-about-us-fighting-proxy-wars-around-globe#.UCmI4bRfC9A.care2 The Election Year Outsourcing No One's Talking About: The U.S. Fighting Proxy Wars Around the Globe] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029193654/http://www.alternet.org/hot-news-views/election-year-outsourcing-no-ones-talking-about-us-fighting-proxy-wars-around-globe#.UCmI4bRfC9A.care2 |date=29 October 2013 }} TomDespatch.com/Alternet.org, 13 August 2012</ref>

In addition, a significant amount of support to AMISOM has been provided by private companies. "Bancroft Global Development, headquartered on Washington's Embassy Row, employs about 40 South African and European trainers who work with [AMISOM's] Ugandan and Burundian troops."<ref>Kevin J. Kelley, Somalia: How 'Quiet Americans' Helped Defeat Al Shabaab, Garoweonline.com, 22 Aug 2011.</ref> Bancroft director Michael Stock told ''[[The EastAfrican]]'' that these mentors are embedded with AMISOM units in Mogadishu and southern and central Somalia. They coach commanders on how to predict and defeat the tactics which foreign fighters bring from outside East Africa and teach to [[Al-Shabaab (militant group)|al-Shabaab]].<ref name="Ghosts of Kampala"/>

On 12 August 2012, two Ugandan [[Mil Mi-24]]s flying from [[Entebbe]] across [[Kenya]] to Somalia crashed in rugged terrain in Kenya. They were found two days later, burned out, with no likely survivors from the ten Ugandan servicemen on board the two helicopters. Another aircraft from the same flight crashed on [[Mount Kenya]], and all seven Ugandan servicemen on board were rescued a day later. The aircraft were supporting AMISOM in the ongoing [[Somali War#War in Somalia (2009–present)|Somali Civil War]]. An accompanying [[Mil Mi-17]] transport helicopter landed without problems in the eastern Kenyan town of [[Garissa]] near the Somali border for a scheduled refuelling stop.<ref>[http://www.spacewar.com/reports/Burnt_wreckage_of_two_Ugandan_army_helicopters_found_army_999.html Burnt wreckage of two Ugandan army helicopters found] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131209235013/http://www.spacewar.com/reports/Burnt_wreckage_of_two_Ugandan_army_helicopters_found_army_999.html|date=9 December 2013}}, [[Agence France-Presse]] via [[SpaceWar.com]], 14 October 2012, accessed 15 August 2012</ref>

In August 2014, AMISOM launched [[Operation Indian Ocean]] against al-Shabaab in Lower Shabelle and other coastal areas of southcentral Somalia.<ref name="Spsgdncfmaep">{{cite news | title=SOMALIA: President says Godane is dead, now is the chance for the members of al-Shabaab to embrace peace | url=http://www.raxanreeb.com/2014/09/somalia-president-says-godane-is-dead-now-is-the-chance-for-the-members-of-al-shabaab-to-embrace-peace | access-date=6 September 2014 | agency=Raxanreeb | date=5 September 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140906202740/http://www.raxanreeb.com/2014/09/somalia-president-says-godane-is-dead-now-is-the-chance-for-the-members-of-al-shabaab-to-embrace-peace/ | archive-date=6 September 2014 | url-status=dead}}</ref> On 1 September 2014, a U.S. drone strike carried out as part of the broader mission killed Al-Shabaab leader [[Moktar Ali Zubeyr]].<ref name="Pcdostl">{{cite news | title=Pentagon Confirms Death of Somalia Terror Leader | url=http://www.garoweonline.com/page/show/post/292/pentagon-confirms-death-of-somalia-terror-leader | access-date=6 September 2014 | agency=Associated Press | date=5 September 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140906202437/http://www.garoweonline.com/page/show/post/292/pentagon-confirms-death-of-somalia-terror-leader | archive-date=6 September 2014 | url-status=live}}</ref> According to Pentagon spokesperson Admiral John Kirby, the Ugandan AMISOM forces had informed U.S. intelligence about where Godane and other Al-Shabaab leaders were meeting and provided information on a convoy of vehicles in which he was traveling.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://allafrica.com/stories/201409181341.html | title=allAfrica.com: Uganda: More Information Emerges on How Intelligence From Uganda Forces Led to the Killing of Alshabaab Leader | work=allAfrica.com | date=18 September 2014 | access-date=30 January 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150502101345/http://allafrica.com/stories/201409181341.html | archive-date=2 May 2015 | url-status=live}}</ref>

Al-Shabaab subsequently threatened an attack in Uganda for the UPDF contingent's role within AMISOM and the strike on Godane.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/659464-uganda-gave-us-crucial-intel-on-al-shabaab-leader.html | title=Uganda gave US crucial intel on Al Shabaab leader | date=6 September 2014 | access-date=30 January 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141026151203/http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/659464-uganda-gave-us-crucial-intel-on-al-shabaab-leader.html | archive-date=26 October 2014 | url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-somalia-islamist-threat-idUSKBN0H41KS20140909 | title=Somali militants threaten U.S. attacks to avenge leader's death | work=Reuters | date=9 September 2014 | access-date=30 January 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141026152826/http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/09/09/us-somalia-islamist-threat-idUSKBN0H41KS20140909 | archive-date=26 October 2014 | url-status=live}}</ref> The Ugandan security services, with the assistance of the U.S. military and intelligence, then identified and foiled a major Al-Shabaab terrorist attack in the Ugandan capital Kampala. They recovered suicide vests, other explosives, and small arms and detained Al-Shabaab operatives.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://online.wsj.com/articles/uganda-forces-discover-suicide-vests-ieds-at-suspected-terrorist-cell-1410783132 | title=Uganda Forces Discover Suicide Vests, Explosives at Suspected Terrorist Cell | first=Nicholas | last=Bariyo | date=15 September 2014 | work=The Wall Street Journal | access-date=30 January 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140920141607/http://online.wsj.com/articles/uganda-forces-discover-suicide-vests-ieds-at-suspected-terrorist-cell-1410783132 | archive-date=20 September 2014 | url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.newsweek.com/ugandan-police-seize-explosives-suicide-vests-suspected-al-shabaab-cell-270345 |title=UGANDAN POLICE SEIZE EXPLOSIVES, SUICIDE VESTS FROM SUSPECTED AL SHABAAB CELL |magazine=[[Newsweek]] |access-date=22 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140921203501/http://www.newsweek.com/ugandan-police-seize-explosives-suicide-vests-suspected-al-shabaab-cell-270345 |archive-date=21 September 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-09-15/uganda-raids-suspected-terror-cell/5743746 | title=Uganda seizes explosives, suicide vests from suspected terrorist cell in capital of Kampala | work=ABC News | date=14 September 2014 | access-date=30 January 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150405061945/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-09-15/uganda-raids-suspected-terror-cell/5743746 | archive-date=5 April 2015 | url-status=live}}</ref>

On 10 August 2021 [[Golweyn ambush|Ugandan AMISOM soldiers were ambushed]] by Al-Shabab near [[Golweyn]] in [[Lower Shabelle]]. A gunfight ensued in which one UPDF soldier died. But ''after'' the gunfight with the insurgents the Ugandan troops allegedly killed 7 Somali civilians. AMISOM immediately launched an investigation that will report its findings on 6 September 2021.<ref>[https://madmimi.com/p/ab2ab21?pact=535-164327303-6296597157-3820082d33673daeb961b392ce199c2d00568be5 AMISOM launches investigation into Golweyn incident in the Lower Shabelle Region], AMISOM Press release PR/20/2021, 11 August 2021. Only a few days later, this Press Release was deleted from [https://amisom-au.org/ the AMISOM website].</ref><ref>[https://amisom-au.org/2021/08/amisom-commits-to-swift-and-transparent-inquiry-into-golweyn-incident/ AMISOM commits to swift and transparent inquiry into golweyn incident], AMISOM Press release PR/21/2021, 21 August 2021.</ref><ref>[https://www.voanews.com/a/africa_somali-governor-says-au-soldiers-killed-civilians-after-al-shabab-ambush/6209636.html Somali Governor Says AU Soldiers Killed Civilians After Al-Shabab Ambush], VOA -News (Voice of America), 16 August 2021.</ref><ref>[https://newscentral.africa/2021/08/17/somali-governor-accuses-au-soldiers-of-killing-civilians-after-al-shabaab-ambush/ Somali Governor Accuses AU Soldiers of Killing Civilians After Al-Shabaab Ambush] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210817091956/https://newscentral.africa/2021/08/17/somali-governor-accuses-au-soldiers-of-killing-civilians-after-al-shabaab-ambush/ |date=17 August 2021 }}, NewsCentral TV, 17 August 2021.</ref><ref>[https://shahidinews.co.ke/2021/08/12/amisom-probing-alleged-death-of-civilians-at-hands-of-uganda-peoples-defense-forces-in-somalia/ AMISOM Probing Alleged Death Of Civilians At Hands Of Uganda People's Defense Forces In Somalia], Shahidi News, Kenya, 12 August 2021.</ref><ref>[https://www.bbc.com/somali/war-58295722 AMISOM: "Toddobadii qof ee aan ku dilnay deegaanka Golweyn ma ahayn Al-Shabaab" (AMISOM: "The seven people we killed in Golweyn were not Al-Shabaab")], BBC, 22 August 2021.</ref>{{Update inline|date=December 2021}}

===African Union Regional Task Force===

In November 2011, the [[Peace and Security Council]] of the [[African Union]] (AU) authorized a Regional Co-operation Initiative (RCI) for eliminating the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA). The LRA had been forced out of Uganda and was roaming remote areas of (what is now) [[South Sudan]], the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and the [[Central African Republic]] (CAR). The RCI was planned to consist of three elements: a Joint Co-ordination Mechanism chaired by the AU Commissioner for Peace and Security and made up of the Ministers of Defence of the four affected countries (Uganda, South Sudan, the DRC, and the CAR); a Regional Task Force Headquarters; and, the [[African Union-led Regional Task Force|Regional Task Force]] (RTF) of up to 5,000 troops from the four countries.<ref>African Union, 2015, The African Union-Led Regional Task Force for the elimination of the LRA, African Union Peace and Security, last updated 23 November 2015, accessed 2 January 2017, http://www.peaceau.org/en/page/100-au-led-rci-lra-1 {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170130062623/http://www.peaceau.org/en/page/100-au-led-rci-lra-1 |date=30 January 2017 }}</ref>

United States special forces were already assisting Ugandan forces in their operations against the LRA in the DRC and the CAR.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.nation.co.ke/lifestyle/DN2/The-hunt-for-Kony-/957860-1257588-d6r7gyz/index.html | title=The hunt for Kony | date=18 October 2011 | access-date=17 January 2017 | last=Gisesa | first=Nyambega | newspaper=[[Daily Nation]] | location=Nairobi | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170118114229/http://www.nation.co.ke/lifestyle/DN2/The-hunt-for-Kony-/957860-1257588-d6r7gyz/index.html | archive-date=18 January 2017 | url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://mobile.monitor.co.ug/News/2466686-1285462-format-xhtml-npg2ty/index.html | title=US commandos venture into Kony's killing fields | date=12 July 2011 | last=Butagira | first=Tabu | work=[[Daily Monitor|The Monitor]] | location=[[Kampala]] | access-date=17 January 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180427044508/http://mobile.monitor.co.ug/News/2466686-1285462-format-xhtml-npg2ty/index.html | archive-date=27 April 2018 | url-status=dead }}</ref> In 2014, these forces were still assisting the RTF.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/2014/03/23/aa468ca6-b2d0-11e3-8020-b2d790b3c9e1_story.html | title=On the hunt for Joseph Kony | newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] | last=De Young | first=Karen | date=23 March 2014 | access-date=17 January 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170120145911/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/2014/03/23/aa468ca6-b2d0-11e3-8020-b2d790b3c9e1_story.html | archive-date=20 January 2017 | url-status=live}}</ref>

The RTF started to take form in September 2012. By February 2013, the RTF had 3,350 soldiers and had finished deploying to the three sectors envisioned, with bases at Dungu, Obo, and Nzara (South Sudan).<ref>{{cite web | url=http://unoca.unmissions.org/Default.aspx?ctl=Details&tabid=3760&mid=6487&ItemID=539864 | title=FIGHT AGAINST THE LRA: UN welcomes handover of troops to the African Union Regional Task Force | publisher=United Nations Regional Office for Central Africa | date=September 2012 | access-date=17 January 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140914141321/http://unoca.unmissions.org/Default.aspx?ctl=Details&tabid=3760&mid=6487&ItemID=539864 | archive-date=14 September 2014 | url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.newvision.co.ug/new_vision/news/1314407/drc-troop-deployment-boost-anti-lra-efforts | title=DRC troop deployment a boost to anti-LRA efforts | newspaper=[[New Vision]] | location=[[Kampala]] | last=Baguma | first=Raymond | date=17 February 2013 | access-date=17 January 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170607075336/http://www.newvision.co.ug/new_vision/news/1314407/drc-troop-deployment-boost-anti-lra-efforts | archive-date=7 June 2017 | url-status=dead }}</ref>

The RTF headquarters is at Yambio in South Sudan. The first Force Commander was Ugandan Colonel [[Dick Olum]] and the Deputy Force Commander was Colonel Gabriel Ayok Akuok.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.newvision.co.ug/new_vision/news/1307056/welcomes-au-force-hunt-kony | title=UN welcomes AU force to hunt down Kony | newspaper=[[New Vision]] | location=[[Kampala]] | last=Mukasa | first=Henry | date=19 September 2012 | access-date=17 January 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180427120427/https://www.newvision.co.ug/new_vision/news/1307056/welcomes-au-force-hunt-kony | archive-date=27 April 2018 | url-status=dead }}</ref>

RTF operations, however, were plagued with difficulties, including the fact that Ugandan forces were restricted from operating in the DRC.<ref>{{Cite book |title=Boko Haram and international law |date=2018 |editor=John-Mark Iyi |editor2=H. A. Strydom |isbn=978-3-319-74957-0 |location=Cham |page=79 |oclc=1043872475 |publisher=Springer}}</ref>

In October 2014, RTF Commander Brigadier [[Sam Kavuma]] was deployed to Somalia<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/UPDF-sends-2700-troops-to-Somalia--names-new-Commander/688334-2502526-a6ly0g/index.html | title=UPDF sends 2700 troops to Somalia, names new Commander | work=[[Daily Monitor|The Monitor]] | location=[[Kampala]] | date=28 October 2014 | access-date=17 January 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161018203219/http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/UPDF-sends-2700-troops-to-Somalia--names-new-Commander/688334-2502526-a6ly0g/index.html | archive-date=18 October 2016 | url-status=dead }}</ref> and his place taken by Brigadier Lucky Kidega<ref name="Who">{{cite web |last=Kasasira |first=Risdel |date=27 November 2014 |title=Who is who? List of UPDF top brass and what they do |url=http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Reviews/Who-is-who--List-of-UPDF-top-brass-and-what-they-do/691232-2536060-d2qq7g/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161128193039/http://www.monitor.co.ug/artsculture/Reviews/Who-is-who--List-of-UPDF-top-brass-and-what-they-do/691232-2536060-d2qq7g/index.html |archive-date=28 November 2016 |access-date=15 January 2017 |newspaper=[[Daily Monitor]] |location=Kampala}}</ref> By March 2016, the Ugandan RTF Commander was Colonel [[Richard Otto (military officer)|Richard Otto]].<ref>Tumwesigye, Capt. Stephen, 2016, Dominic Ongwen's Accomplice Escapes Death, ''Tarehe Sita'' (The Uganda Peoples' Defence Forces Magazine) vol. 29, no. 3, March 2016, pp. 26–27.</ref>

During January 2016, UPDF 11 Battalion was based with the RTF in the CAR.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Soldier-sentenced-to-10-months-for-losing-gun/688334-3356366-hds5sm/index.html | title=Soldier sentenced to 10 months for losing gun | work=[[Daily Monitor|The Monitor]] | location=[[Kampala]] | last=Owich | first=James | date=25 August 2016 | access-date=17 January 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161019055136/http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Soldier-sentenced-to-10-months-for-losing-gun/688334-3356366-hds5sm/index.html | archive-date=19 October 2016 | url-status=dead }}</ref> In mid-2016, it was reported that Uganda would withdraw its contribution to the RTF by the end of the year.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.irinnews.org/analysis/2016/07/01/mission-not-accomplished | title=Mission (Not) Accomplished: Uganda gives up the hunt too soon for Kony and the LRA | publisher=[[The New Humanitarian|IRIN]] | last=Okiror | first=Samuel | date=1 July 2016 | access-date=17 January 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170106010335/http://www.irinnews.org/analysis/2016/07/01/mission-not-accomplished | archive-date=6 January 2017 | url-status=live}}</ref>

===South Sudan Civil War===
December 2013: Uganda reportedly deploys troops to Juba to evacuate Ugandan nationals following outbreak of fighting.

13 January 2014: President Museveni speaks of battle 90&nbsp;km south of Bor involving UPDF.

16 January 2014: Colonel [[Kayanja Muhanga]] announced as UPDF force commander in South Sudan.<ref>{{cite web|title=Museveni Appoints New Head of Operations In South Sudan|first=Risdel|last=Kasasira|date=13 January 2014|
url=http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Museveni-appoints-new-head-of-operations-in-South-Sudan/-/688334/2143796/-/xxg7tl/-/index.html| access-date=26 May 2014|publisher=[[Daily Monitor]]}}</ref>

January 2014: Ambush and battle reported at Tabakeka, a few kilometres outside Bor, with nine UPDF fatalities and 46 wounded.

22 January 2014: Updated casualty report says nine UPDF dead and a dozen wounded, including: Captain Celistine Egau, Sergeant Santos Ochen, Private Richard Oyaka and Private Arthur Mbagira.

9 February 2014: Colonel Kayanja Muhanga, Officer Commanding "Zulu Task Force", promoted to Brigadier.

21 October 2015: First re-deployment of troops out of South Sudan, from forward base in Bor, about 190&nbsp;km north of Juba.

9 December 2015: Mention of c. 3000 men from South Sudan in seven battalions registering late for upcoming Ugandan election.

14-18 July 2016: Ugandan forces under Brigadier Kayanja Muhanga undertake Operation Okoa Wanaichi in South Sudan, "successfully evacuating up to 40,000 Ugandans and 100 other nationalities who were fleeing the fighting."<ref>'Sum up of the South Sudan Evacuation Mission,' MOD Uganda website, 5 August 2016, accessed 12 August 2016, [http://portal.defence.go.ug:10039/wps/portal/mod-home/MOD-latest-news/sum%20up%20of%20the%20south%20sudan%20evacuation%20mission/!ut/p/a1/zZRNc9owEIb_ii8cjdbCH3JunmTqQgC3-QRfMsLIsgi2jCWbNr8-guSUlhCmHKqLZmd339l9pF2UohlKK9oJTrWQFV3v7NR_ChMgzjXgUfIdvkFE4ukQJzG-jV0TMDcBcOBE8CH_Loggih-Cn8k4HA6vPfSIUpRmla51gea1bDRdW0po1oOXw7IU9u5QGtlnwCupAwqUd8FGrkMhnr0P7gJyoIRXAkuOFXd7oNrSamtL5pYumKVkqwtLtUtaWayjWbtv3yqFUubeVVhTzpZMCf5mZWKJ5jkmjgOOb_ueQ2zXdR174ebEZgvfcz2ahVmG3_l8AuAI3z2fI4SPMR4dCzBFRtViQDhKG5azhjX9tjGPX2hdX_QM7O12218aT5WxPpf9lvfgb0mFVBrN_ghGcwMhONxlgG5PpPq5IMHnFhycWTBx_1WQ3F9dQjSe_BjhhxuIp3DuCv2TBUdf2BW4mVxO-G6edGGLKpdodtIoGgmx2mzSyCwNWWn2y_y3_3Rr1OV9SVb52L8hvwfrriyfplObLggMvLp7ucvLR6JeAR4T7dQ!/dl5/d5/L2dBISEvZ0FBIS9nQSEh/ MOD Latest News ]{{Dead link|date=March 2020|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}></ref>

===UN Guard Unit, Somalia===
The UN Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) was established on 3 June 2013 by UN Security Council Resolution 2102 and works alongside AMISOM in Somalia. In 2014 it was decided the mission needed a guard unit to secure and protect UN personnel and their installations in Somalia. Uganda has provided this unit, initially of 410 personnel, since 2014. The United Nations Guard Unit, or UNGU, is based at Mogadishu Airport.<ref>'UN Guard Unit begins work in Mogadishu', Relief Web, 18 May 2014 https://reliefweb.int/report/somalia/un-guard-unit-begins-work-mogadishu {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306044313/https://reliefweb.int/report/somalia/un-guard-unit-begins-work-mogadishu |date=6 March 2019 }}</ref><ref>'UN-UPDF Guard Units Sets Off For Somalia', Red Pepper, 17 April 2014, http://www.redpepper.co.ug/un-updf-guard-units-sets-off-for-somalia/ {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141011145721/http://www.redpepper.co.ug/un-updf-guard-units-sets-off-for-somalia/ |date=11 October 2014 }}</ref><ref>'AMISOM commends Ugandan UN battalion after a tour of duty in Somalia', AMISOM News, 27 June 2016.</ref><ref>'Forces welcomed from Somalia', Ministry of Defence and Veteran's Affairs Uganda, 5 August 2016, [http://portal.defence.go.ug:10039/wps/portal/mod-home/MOD-latest-news/forces%20welcomed%20from%20somalia/!ut/p/a1/zZNNc9owEIb_CheORhvhD6k3TzpxIICT5qPgS0a2JVnEloytQCe_voLpKS2kmXKobju7-87us3pRhpYo02yrJLPKaFbv4yx8pimQixvA0_QariAmyWKC0wTfJ74rWLkCOPJieNf_EMUQJ0_RXTqjk8lNgL6jDGWFtq2t0Ko1nWX1oFeWD-HtuCyDQ5oaJ_sCeG1sxIDJbbQxNVXqJXiXrkAAI1IrbCTupT8EYbqC94MdrwvT8HIgOtMMetOwWrH9RC2TvOS9kvoQFapEqzyILmgQhB4pCur5DDOPUM48mvslIxQEHoe_eJxY-AOeBx6niU4_YupmiHU-JhJlHRe8493otXO3rKxtvwwdu91uNypdRhd8JM3oVQ7hT02V6S1a_laMVm7H6PgSEbr_JLTTggSfW3B8ZsHU_1dB8vj1EuLZ_HaKn75BsoBzTxh-WnD6F9bH3fxyLvd2sZWntDBoedJZrkWtN5ssdp432vIf7n_9J6Zvm8eGrMUsFHMb5EG7fXsQTfO8WHgsJzAO6u0s_gnVFt3v/dl5/d5/L2dBISEvZ0FBIS9nQSEh/ MOD Latest News]{{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306043358/http://portal.defence.go.ug:10039/wps/portal/mod-home/MOD-latest-news/forces%20welcomed%20from%20somalia/!ut/p/a1/zZNNc9owEIb_CheORhvhD6k3TzpxIICT5qPgS0a2JVnEloytQCe_voLpKS2kmXKobju7-87us3pRhpYo02yrJLPKaFbv4yx8pimQixvA0_QariAmyWKC0wTfJ74rWLkCOPJieNf_EMUQJ0_RXTqjk8lNgL6jDGWFtq2t0Ko1nWX1oFeWD-HtuCyDQ5oaJ_sCeG1sxIDJbbQxNVXqJXiXrkAAI1IrbCTupT8EYbqC94MdrwvT8HIgOtMMetOwWrH9RC2TvOS9kvoQFapEqzyILmgQhB4pCur5DDOPUM48mvslIxQEHoe_eJxY-AOeBx6niU4_YupmiHU-JhJlHRe8493otXO3rKxtvwwdu91uNypdRhd8JM3oVQ7hT02V6S1a_laMVm7H6PgSEbr_JLTTggSfW3B8ZsHU_1dB8vj1EuLZ_HaKn75BsoBzTxh-WnD6F9bH3fxyLvd2sZWntDBoedJZrkWtN5ssdp432vIf7n_9J6Zvm8eGrMUsFHMb5EG7fXsQTfO8WHgsJzAO6u0s_gnVFt3v/dl5/d5/L2dBISEvZ0FBIS9nQSEh/ |date=6 March 2019 }}</ref><ref>'UN Guard Unit members complete one-year tour of duty in Somalia', UNSOM News (UN Assistance Mission in Somalia), 18 July 2017, https://unsom.unmissions.org/un-guard-unit-members-complete-one-year-tour-duty-somalia</ref>
* UNGU I (Lt. Col. Wycliffe Keita) – May 2014 to mid-2015
* UNGU II (Lt. Col. Richard Walekura) – mid-2015 to August 2016
* UNGU III (Lt. Col. Keith Katungi) – August 2016 to July 2017
* UNGU IV (Lt. Col. Mike Hyeroba) – July 2017 to mid-2018
* UNGU V (Lt. Col. Stuart Agaba), 529 personnel – mid-2018 to July 2019<ref>'New UN Guard Takes Over Duties', UPDF website, 26 July 2019, https://www.updf.go.ug/NEW_UNITED_NATIONS_GUARD_UNIT_TAKES_OVER_DUTIES.php {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190818010425/https://www.updf.go.ug/NEW_UNITED_NATIONS_GUARD_UNIT_TAKES_OVER_DUTIES.php |date=18 August 2019 }}, accessed 18 August 2019.</ref><ref>'UPDF Troops Welcomed From Somalia', UPDF website, August 2019, https://www.updf.go.ug/UPDF_TROOPS_WELCOMED_FROM_SOMALIA.php {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190818010406/https://www.updf.go.ug/UPDF_TROOPS_WELCOMED_FROM_SOMALIA.php |date=18 August 2019 }}, accessed 18 August 2019.</ref>
* UNGU VI (Lt. Col. Nathan Bainomugisha) - July 2019<ref>'D/ CDF Flags off UGABAG XXVIII & UNGU VI', UPDF website, 18 July 2019, https://www.updf.go.ug/Deputy_Chief_of_Defence_Forces_Flagsoff_UGABAG_XXVIII_and_UNGU_VI.php {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190818010403/https://www.updf.go.ug/Deputy_Chief_of_Defence_Forces_Flagsoff_UGABAG_XXVIII_and_UNGU_VI.php |date=18 August 2019 }}, accessed 18 August 2019.</ref> to August 2020.
* UNGU VII (Lt. Col. Francis Odikiro), 600 personnel - deployed August 2020.<ref>'Uganda's 7th UN Guard Unit Flagged off to Somalia', UPDF website, August 2020, <https://www.updf.go.ug/Uganda_7th_UN_Guard_Unit_Flagged_off_to_Somalia.php {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200926044739/https://updf.go.ug/Uganda_7th_UN_Guard_Unit_Flagged_off_to_Somalia.php |date=26 September 2020 }}> accessed 17 September 2020.</ref>
* UNGU VIII (Lt. Col. Peter Magungu, or Mabunga), 625 personnel - to February 2023.<ref>'UPDF Changes Command of the United Nations Guard Unit in Somalia', UPDF website, 27 February 2023, <https://www.updf.go.ug/missions/updf-changes-command-of-the-united-nations-guard-unit-in-somalia/></ref>
* UNGU IX (Lt. Col. Peter Okwi Omeja )- February 2023 to present.<ref>'UPDF Sends 2450 Strong UPDF Troops to Serve In Somalia Under UN And AU', UPDF website, 17 March 2023, <https://www.updf.go.ug/missions/updf-sends-2450-strong-updf-troops-to-serve-in-somalia-under-un-and-au/></ref>

===Uganda Military Training and Mentoring Team, Equatorial Guinea===
During February 2017 Uganda deployed a UPDF team to Equatorial Guinea to assist in the training of that country's armed forces.<ref>Binnie, J. (2019)
Uganda reveals size of training mission in Equatorial Guinea, ''Jane's Defence Weekly'', 23 January 2019.</ref> The second contingent of 248 personnel was welcomed back in Uganda in January 2019 when a third team was dispatched.<ref>'UPDF Troops Welcomed from Equatorial Guinea and Somalia', Ministry of Defence and Veterans' Affairs Uganda, 22 January 2019, [http://portal.defence.go.ug:10039/wps/portal/mod-home/MOD-latest-news/updf%20troops%20welcomed%20from%20equatorial%20guinea%20and%20somalia/!ut/p/a1/zZJNT8JAEIb_Sj14bHa69PPYYKx8VgUVeiFDu10W293SLmj49RbiRRM0Kgf3NpnJs--875CEzEgicSc4aqEkFoc6cRdBDL41ANqPb-AaQj8a92gc0UlkkyeSkCSVutIrMq9UrbEwGqHZJezdBZx4CMd2oFrsM9C10h4C8p23UUUgxLPzqb2CHNDnUlDFacPtS9hWWW7oWqmqMV5YkaqSZUZeq9Jgmy1qVYtWB98KydBAmRmNKrEQeBBbIWcZawSXxyoVGZl7ToCZRVMTLCs1bQyoubRdalIEp8N8K3ddq_VinpzeKYTvrOp_N9B-QOtRd8QPIvXKFDJXZPbbVVuaWG82Sdjmo6Rmr5rM_n9Ax3v6YNPUCyGMHr27eBj0egPnfeCLHOZtUN5poz0y-WHyXwN9em5g58zA2P4r0H-46kI4HN326eM9RGM4t0L3x8CqLP11PnSK3TCf3JblYjw2celDx6l2-2l48Qa4y0wP/dl5/d5/L2dBISEvZ0FBIS9nQSEh/ MOD Latest News]{{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306043206/http://portal.defence.go.ug:10039/wps/portal/mod-home/MOD-latest-news/updf%20troops%20welcomed%20from%20equatorial%20guinea%20and%20somalia/!ut/p/a1/zZJNT8JAEIb_Sj14bHa69PPYYKx8VgUVeiFDu10W293SLmj49RbiRRM0Kgf3NpnJs--875CEzEgicSc4aqEkFoc6cRdBDL41ANqPb-AaQj8a92gc0UlkkyeSkCSVutIrMq9UrbEwGqHZJezdBZx4CMd2oFrsM9C10h4C8p23UUUgxLPzqb2CHNDnUlDFacPtS9hWWW7oWqmqMV5YkaqSZUZeq9Jgmy1qVYtWB98KydBAmRmNKrEQeBBbIWcZawSXxyoVGZl7ToCZRVMTLCs1bQyoubRdalIEp8N8K3ddq_VinpzeKYTvrOp_N9B-QOtRd8QPIvXKFDJXZPbbVVuaWG82Sdjmo6Rmr5rM_n9Ax3v6YNPUCyGMHr27eBj0egPnfeCLHOZtUN5poz0y-WHyXwN9em5g58zA2P4r0H-46kI4HN326eM9RGM4t0L3x8CqLP11PnSK3TCf3JblYjw2celDx6l2-2l48Qa4y0wP/dl5/d5/L2dBISEvZ0FBIS9nQSEh/ |date=6 March 2019 }}</ref> The foreign mission is known as the Uganda Military Training and Mentoring Team, abbreviated as UMTMT.
* UMTMT 1 – 100–150 personnel; deployed February 2017
* UMTMT 2 – 248 personnel; until January 2019
* UMTMT 3 – Deployed January 2019
* UMTMT 4
* UMTMT 5 (Col. James Kato Kalyebara) - completed 'post-mission ideological training course' during January 2022.<ref>'Battle Group XXXI and Military Training Team Complete Post Mission Ideological Training', UPDF website, 15 January 2022, <http://www.defence.go.ug/home/newsandevents/71.0 {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220116115239/http://www.defence.go.ug/home/newsandevents/71.0 |date=16 January 2022 }}></ref>

==Command and organisation==

===Training schools===

The UPDF has the following training schools:<ref>{{cite web | url=http://portal.defence.go.ug:10039/wps/portal/mod-home/training-schools/!ut/p/a1/jY_LDoIwEEW_xQVL2xGCgLsuDAFMGhIf2I0BrYVEC6nFxr-3Gle-ZzeZczL3YoYLzGR5bkSpm1aWh9vOxpuIQjjKwE1pRAMgIfh57k0hdj0LrC0AH4bAkz8PCJB4GeR0FiVJ5j_8L8CP_yvM7siXBOkfGYisvFBgpvieK65Qr2z3Wutu4oADxhi0sxe55Ui0qBcOvJPq9qRx8QLj7rgoYMiqiyGDKwt2L_A!/dl5/d5/L2dBISEvZ0FBIS9nQSEh/ | title=Training Schools | publisher=Uganda Ministry of Defence | access-date=27 December 2016 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170726030726/http://portal.defence.go.ug:10039/wps/portal/mod-home/training-schools/!ut/p/a1/jY_LDoIwEEW_xQVL2xGCgLsuDAFMGhIf2I0BrYVEC6nFxr-3Gle-ZzeZczL3YoYLzGR5bkSpm1aWh9vOxpuIQjjKwE1pRAMgIfh57k0hdj0LrC0AH4bAkz8PCJB4GeR0FiVJ5j_8L8CP_yvM7siXBOkfGYisvFBgpvieK65Qr2z3Wutu4oADxhi0sxe55Ui0qBcOvJPq9qRx8QLj7rgoYMiqiyGDKwt2L_A!/dl5/d5/L2dBISEvZ0FBIS9nQSEh | archive-date=26 July 2017}}</ref>
* Senior Command and Staff College, Kimaka (Maj Gen George Igumba)
* Junior Staff College, Jinja (Brig Gen Chris Ogwal)
* Uganda Military Academy, Kabamba (Brig Gen Wycliffe Keita)
* Uganda Military Engineering College (University Military Science & Technology, Lugazi)
* College of Logistics and Engineering (COLE) (Magamaga - Mayuge District. 91&nbsp;km East of Kampala)
* Oliver Tambo Leadership School, Kawaweta, (Col Justus Rukundo) [[Nakaseke District]]<ref name="ReferenceB">[http://newvision.co.ug/D/8/13/714298/Oliver%20Tambo Oliver Tambo Leadership School Located at Kaweweta, Nakaseke District] {{webarchive | url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110929105646/http://newvision.co.ug/D/8/13/714298/Oliver%20Tambo | date=29 September 2011}}</ref><ref name="sundayvision.co.ug">[http://sundayvision.co.ug/detail.php?mainNewsCategoryId=7&newsCategoryId=123&newsId=744584 South Africa Donates Equipment to Oliver Tambo School] {{webarchive | url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102014205/http://sundayvision.co.ug/detail.php?mainNewsCategoryId=7&newsCategoryId=123&newsId=744584 | date=2 November 2012}}</ref>
* Armoured Warfare Training School, Karama Mubende (Brig Gen Peter Chandia)
* Singo Peace Support Training Centre (Brig Gen John Patrick Otongo)
* Kaweweta Recruits Training School (Brig Gen Bonny Walimbwa)
* National Leadership Institute Kyankwanzi
* Bihanga Military Training School, Ibanda (Brig Gen Godfrey Golooba)
* Hima Training School, Kasese
* Anti-terrorism Centre (Major General Fred Mugisha)
* Uganda Rapid Deployment Capability, Jinja ()
* Uganda Air Defence and Artillery School, Nakasongola, Nakasongola District
* Uganda Air Force Academy, Nakasongola, Nakasongola District<ref name="About Uganda Airforce Academy">[https://web.archive.org/web/20201204071132/https://www.newvision.co.ug/D/8/13/669711/Uganda%20Military%20Aviation%20Academy About Uganda Airforce Academy]</ref>
* Uganda Urban Warfare Training School, Singo, Nakaseke District<ref name="auto4">{{cite web | url=http://www.newvision.co.ug/new_vision/news/1276752/-800-updf-sent-somalia | title=1,800 more UPDF sent to Somalia | last=Among | first=Barbara | newspaper=[[New Vision]] | location=Kampala | date=22 December 2010 | access-date=8 January 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170109113517/http://www.newvision.co.ug/new_vision/news/1276752/-800-updf-sent-somalia | archive-date=9 January 2017 | url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Land Force==
[[File:Soldiers from the Ugandan Contingent in the front line (6242739611).jpg|thumb|A Ugandan soldier in 2011]]
The organisation of the land force was reported in 2015 to be as follows:<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=37705:uganda-peoples-defence-force&catid=119:african-militaries&Itemid=255 | title=Uganda People's Defence Force | last1=Griffiths | first1=Jordan Luke | last2=Martin | first2=Guy | publisher=defenceWeb | date=30 January 2015 | access-date=8 January 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161229031954/http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=37705:uganda-peoples-defence-force&catid=119:african-militaries&Itemid=255 | archive-date=29 December 2016 | url-status=dead }}</ref>
* Five division headquarters
* One armoured brigade
* One motorised infantry brigade
* One tank battalion
* Presidential Guard brigade
* One engineer brigade
* One commando battalion
* 5 infantry divisions (total: 16 infantry brigades)
* One artillery brigade
* Two air defence battalions

===Divisions===
[[File:2014 03 06 AMISOM Tank Crew-1 (12992994985).jpg|thumb|A Ugandan [[T-54/T-55|T-55]] on deployment as part of AMISOM in 2014]]
The divisions are:
* First Division: [[Kakiri]], [[Wakiso District]].
* Second Division: Makenke Barracks, Mbarara (Brigadier Peter Elewelu). It is composed of three brigades and four auxiliary battalions, according to the website of the Ministry of Defence Uganda. This division, according to [http://www.afdevinfo.com/ afdevinfo.com], includes the divisional headquarters at Mbarara; the 13th, 17th, 69th, 73rd, and 77th battalions; the Rwenzori Mountain Alpine Brigade; possibly another Alpine brigade; and the 3rd Tank Battalion. The division has been heavily involved with border operations since the [[First Congo War|Congo Civil War]] began in the 1990s. Brigadier Peter Elwelu took command in a ceremony on 17 July 2013. He had been appointed in June 2013.<ref name=Turyakira>{{cite web | url=http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/645248-elwelu-appointed-new-2nd-division-updf-commander.html | title=Elwelu appointed new 2nd Division UPDF commander | last=Turyakira | first=Fred | date=20 July 2013 | access-date=8 January 2017 | newspaper=[[New Vision]] | location=Kampala | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141023163924/http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/645248-elwelu-appointed-new-2nd-division-updf-commander.html | archive-date=23 October 2014 | url-status=dead }}</ref>
* Third Division: Moroto (Brigadier Dick Olum). Before 2013, the Third Division headquarters was reported to be at [[Mbale]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.afdevinfo.com/htmlreports/org/org_53987.aspx |title=3rd Division Mbale – Uganda |access-date=8 December 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181217162536/http://www.afdevinfo.com/htmlreports/org/org_53987.aspx |archive-date=17 December 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref>
* Fourth Division: Gulu District (Brigadier Kayanja Muhanga, until December 2016 when he took command of the Ugandan contingent with AMISOM in Somalia).<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.alleastafrica.com/2016/11/26/uganda-says-nine-months-army-salary-ready/ | title=Uganda says army's salary arrears 'ready' | last=Kamali | first=David | date=26 November 2016 | publisher=Alleastafrica | access-date=16 January 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220081546/https://www.alleastafrica.com/2016/11/26/uganda-says-nine-months-army-salary-ready/ | archive-date=20 December 2016 | url-status=dead }}</ref> [[James Kazini]] served with this division in 1996–99.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Life and times of Gen. James Kazini|url=https://www.newvision.co.ug/articledetails/1232626|access-date=2022-02-22|website=New Vision|language=en}}{{Dead link|date=May 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref name="admissions.co.ug">{{Cite web|title=Uganda Peoples Defence Forces UPDF 5th Division|url=https://admissions.co.ug/uganda-peoples-defence-forces-updf-5th-division/|access-date=2022-02-22|website=Admissions|date=7 July 2020|language=en-US|archive-date=22 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220222085219/https://admissions.co.ug/uganda-peoples-defence-forces-updf-5th-division/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* Fifth Division: Lira (Brigadier Sam Kavuma). Created in August 2002.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://allafrica.com/stories/200208070647.html | title=Uganda: Museveni Creates UPDF 5th Division | last=Atuhaire | first=Alex B. | newspaper=[[New Vision]] | location=Kampala | via=allAfrica.com | date=7 August 2002 | access-date=17 January 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020815123721/http://allafrica.com/stories/200208070647.html | archive-date=15 August 2002 | url-status=live}}</ref> As of 2013, the division appears to include the 401 Brigade.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://ugandaradionetwork.com/a/story.php?s=18089&PHPSESSID=2ea4273e2283273b1f8e675db02ed25c | title=Security Operative on the Run for Robbery | first=Columbus | last=Tusiime | work=Uganda Radio Network | access-date=17 January 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161229032946/https://ugandaradionetwork.com/a/story.php?s=18089&PHPSESSID=2ea4273e2283273b1f8e675db02ed25c | archive-date=29 December 2016 | url-status=dead }}</ref>
* Field Artillery Division: Masindi (Brigadier Sam Okiding, who was Ugandan Contingent Commander with AMISOM, 2015–16)<ref name="admissions.co.ug"/>
* Air Defence Division: Nakasongala (Brigadier Garvas Mugyenyi since May 2013)

===Brigades===
* Armoured Brigade: Kasijjagirwa Barracks, Masaka (Brigadier Joseph M. Ssemwanga)<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/UPDF-Investigates-rebel-recruitment-in-Masaka--warns-youths/688334-3505280-t8yoesz/index.html | title=UPDF Investigates rebel recruitment in Masaka, warns youths | last=Ssekweyama | first=Martins E. | date=3 January 2017 | work=[[Daily Monitor|The Monitor]] | location=[[Kampala]] | access-date=17 January 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170105135731/http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/UPDF-Investigates-rebel-recruitment-in-Masaka--warns-youths/688334-3505280-t8yoesz/index.html | archive-date=5 January 2017 | url-status=dead }}</ref>
* Motorised Infantry Brigade: Nakasongola (Brigadier Tumusiime Katsigazi). Formed in September 2002 and is composed of three motorized infantry battalions.<ref>Ministry of Defence Uganda, UPDF Motorised Infantry, accessed 14 June 2016, [http://portal.defence.go.ug:10039/wps/portal/mod-home/armed-forces/land-forces/!ut/p/a1/04_Sj9CPykssy0xPLMnMz0vMAfGjzOIt_Q0sDL0NjLz8Lf3NDRwtDEwDA41dDQxMTYEKIoEKDHAARwM0_SHmjgaO7mHmgf4-lp6e3jD9eBQQsD9cPwqsBI8LvIhwg2NekrFFun5UUWpaalFqkV5pEdDvGSUlBVaqBqoG5eXleilAmbzkVL30fL3SdFUDbJoy8otL9CMwFOsX5IZGGOhGJVWWOyoCAPd0lwo!/dl5/d5/L2dBISEvZ0FBIS9nQSEh/ Land Forces] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170107100610/http://portal.defence.go.ug:10039/wps/portal/mod-home/armed-forces/land-forces/!ut/p/a1/04_Sj9CPykssy0xPLMnMz0vMAfGjzOIt_Q0sDL0NjLz8Lf3NDRwtDEwDA41dDQxMTYEKIoEKDHAARwM0_SHmjgaO7mHmgf4-lp6e3jD9eBQQsD9cPwqsBI8LvIhwg2NekrFFun5UUWpaalFqkV5pEdDvGSUlBVaqBqoG5eXleilAmbzkVL30fL3SdFUDbJoy8otL9CMwFOsX5IZGGOhGJVWWOyoCAPd0lwo!/dl5/d5/L2dBISEvZ0FBIS9nQSEh/ |date=7 January 2017 }}>. Note this website's pages now (7 January 2017) appears to have restricted access.</ref>
* 209 Brigade
* 301 Brigade<ref>Allio, Emmy (2005) 'New Tricks for LRA—Kulaigye', ''New Vision'' (Kampala), 17 December 2005.</ref>
* 302 Brigade<ref name="Kasasira, R. 2016">Kasasira, R. & Kasozi, E. (2016) Tracing Karuhanga's 30-Year Service, ''The Monitor'' (Kampala), 23 April 2016.</ref>
* 303 Brigade
* 305 Brigade<ref>Cooper, Tom (2013) Africa@War Volume 14: Great Lakes Conflagration – The Second Congo War, 1998–2003, Helion & Co Ltd, England, and Thirty Degrees South Publishers Pty Ltd, Johannesburg.</ref>
* 307 Brigade, Mburamizi, Kihihi, Kanungu District.<ref>Nabaasa, C. & Kinene, E. (2016) UPDF Officer in Army Court for Killing Eight People in Kanungu, ''The Monitor'' (Kampala), 6 June 2016.</ref><ref>Ssekweyama, M.E. (2016) 'Two Soldiers Killed Inside Masaka Army Barracks', ''The Monitor'' (Kampala), 7 July 2016.</ref> Formed in June 2001 in Ntungamo District, when it included the 69 Battalion.
* 401 Brigade, Lira/ Pader<ref>'UPDF Commander Brig. Kankiriho Passes On', ''New Vision'' (Kampala), 8 April 2013.</ref>
* 403 Brigade, Kitgum,<ref>Apunyo, H. (2011) 'Mystery Surrounds Soldier's Death', ''The Monitor'' (Kampala), 9 May 2011.</ref> later Matany, Napak District, as a component of 3 Division<ref name="updf.go.ug">'CDF Commissions Homes for 505 & 403 Infantry Brigades', UPDF website, 20 June 2021, accessed 21 July 2021 <https://www.updf.go.ug/CDF_Commissions_Homes_for_505_and_403_Infantry_Brigades.php {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210721020852/https://www.updf.go.ug/CDF_Commissions_Homes_for_505_and_403_Infantry_Brigades.php |date=21 July 2021 }}></ref>
* 405 Brigade, Kotido<ref name="Kasasira, R. 2016"/>
* 407 Brigade<ref name="Kasasira, R. 2016"/>
* 409 Brigade, West Nile
* 503 Brigade, Gang-Dyang, Kitgum.<ref>'New names, ranks in UPDF reshuffle', ''The Observer'' (Kampala), 29 January 2012.</ref>
* 505 Brigade, Pajimu, Kitgum District, a component of 5 Division.<ref name="updf.go.ug"/>
* 507 Alpine Brigade, Kasese.<ref>'New Guard Takes Charge of UPDF in New Changes', ''The Observer'' (Kampala), 29 May 2013.</ref><ref>'Ugandan forces suffer first casualties with five men killed', ''The Monitor'' (Kampala), 18 August 2016, accessed 10 April 2018, http://www.monitor.co.ug/SpecialReports/Ugandan-forces-suffer-first-casualties-with-five-men-killed/688342-3348466-14u6vph/index.html {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190820105407/https://www.monitor.co.ug/SpecialReports/Ugandan-forces-suffer-first-casualties-with-five-men-killed/688342-3348466-14u6vph/index.html |date=20 August 2019 }}</ref>
* 509 Brigade, Pader.
* 601 Brigade

== Army equipment ==
=== Firearms ===
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Small arms
! scope="col" | Name
! scope="col" | Image
! scope="col" | Caliber
! scope="col" | Type
! scope="col" | Origin
|-
! colspan="5"| Pistols
|-
! scope="row" | [[TT pistol|TT-33]]<ref name="jones2009"/>
| [[File:TT33.JPG|150px]]
| [[7.62×25mm]]
| [[Semi-automatic pistol]]
| {{Flag|Soviet Union|1936}}
|-
! scope="row" | [[Makarov pistol|PM]]<ref name="jones2009">Jones, Richard D. ''Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009/2010''. Jane's Information Group; 35 edition (January 27, 2009). {{ISBN|978-0-7106-2869-5}}.</ref>
| [[File:Пистолет Макарова.png|150px]]
| [[9×18mm]]
| [[Semi-automatic pistol]]
| {{Flag|Soviet Union|1936}}
|-
! scope="row" | [[Browning Hi-Power]]<ref name="jones2009"/>
| [[File:FN Hi Power.jpg|150px]]
| [[9×19mm]]
| [[Semi-automatic pistol]]
| {{Flag|Belgium}}
|-
! colspan="5"| Submachine guns
|-
! scope="row" | [[Sten]]<ref name="jones2009"/>
| [[File:STEN MK II submachinegun.png|150px]]
| [[9×19mm]]
| [[Submachine gun]]
| {{Flag|United Kingdom}}
|-
! scope="row" | [[Sterling submachine gun|Sterling]]<ref name="jones2009"/>
| [[File:Sterling SMG.JPG|150px]]
| [[9×19mm]]
| [[Submachine gun]]
| {{Flag|United Kingdom}}
|-
! scope="row" | [[Škorpion]]<ref name="jones2009"/>
| [[File:Skorpion PICT0105.jpg|150px]]
| [[.32 ACP]]
| [[Submachine gun]]
| {{Flag|Czechoslovakia}}
|-
! scope="row" | [[Uzi]]<ref name="jones2009"/>
| [[File:Uzi of the israeli armed forces noBG.png|150px]]
| [[9×19mm]]
| [[Submachine gun]]
| {{Flag|Israel}}
|-
! colspan="5"| Rifles
|-
! scope="row" | [[SKS]]<ref name="jones2009"/>
| [[File:Simonov-SKS-45.JPG|150px]]
| [[7.62×39mm]]
| [[Semi-automatic rifle]]
| {{Flag|Soviet Union|1936}}
|-
! scope="row" | [[AKM]]<ref>{{cite magazine|title=The military rifle cartridges of Uganda from Arabs to Amin.|last=Scarlata|first=Paul|magazine=Shotgun News|date=July 2013|url=https://www.thefreelibrary.com/The+military+rifle+cartridges+of+Uganda+from+Arabs+to+Amin.-a0336491377|access-date=2018-11-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181124105713/https://www.thefreelibrary.com/The+military+rifle+cartridges+of+Uganda+from+Arabs+to+Amin.-a0336491377|archive-date=2018-11-24|url-status=live}}</ref>
| [[File:AKM automatkarbin Ryssland - 7,62x39mm - Armémuseum rightside noBG.png|150px]]
| [[7.62×39mm]]
| [[Assault rifle]]
| {{Flag|Soviet Union}}
|-
! scope="row" | [[PM md. 63]]<ref name='SAS 2006 11'>{{cite book|url=http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/publications/by-type/yearbook/small-arms-survey-2006.html|chapter-url=http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/fileadmin/docs/A-Yearbook/2006/en/Small-Arms-Survey-2006-Chapter-11-EN.pdf|chapter=Fuelling Fear: The Lord's Resistance Army and Small Arms|title=Small Arms Survey 2006: Unfinished Business|publisher=[[Oxford University Press]]|year=2006|author=[[Small Arms Survey]]|page=283|isbn=978-0-19-929848-8|access-date=11 June 2023|archive-date=30 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180830005010/http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/publications/by-type/yearbook/small-arms-survey-2006.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| [[File:PMmd.1963.jpg|150px]]
| [[7.62×39mm]]
| [[Assault rifle]]
| {{Flag|Socialist Republic of Romania}}
|-
! scope="row" | [[Type 56 assault rifle|Type 56]]<ref name='SAS 2006 11'/>
| [[File:Type 56 mod02 noBG.png|150px]]
| [[7.62×39mm]]
| [[Assault rifle]]
| {{Flag|China}}
|-
! scope="row" | [[Type 81 assault rifle|Type 81]]<ref name='SAS 2006 11'/>
| [[File:Canadian civilian version of Type 81 automatic rifle noBG.png|150px]]
| [[7.62×39mm]]
| [[Assault rifle]]
| {{Flag|China}}
|-
! scope="row" | [[IMI Galil]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/CMI-officers-arrested-over-Shs500m-robbery/-/688334/2711392/-/fwubrt/-/index.html |title=CMI Officers Arrested Over Shs500 Million Robbery |access-date=10 May 2015 |date=10 May 2015 |first=Frederic |last=Musisi |newspaper=[[Daily Monitor]] (Kampala) |archive-date=15 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180715235550/http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/CMI-officers-arrested-over-Shs500m-robbery/-/688334/2711392/-/fwubrt/-/index.html |url-status=dead}}</ref>
| [[File:Galil noBG.png|150px]]
| [[5.56×45mm]]
| [[Assault rifle]]
| {{Flag|Israel}}
|-
! scope="row" | [[IWI Galil ACE]]<ref name="NMAA">{{cite web|first1=Jeremy |last1=Binnie|first2=Erwan|last2= de Cherisey|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170622123315/http://www.janes.com/images/assets/520/71520/New-model_African_armies.pdf|title= New-model African armies|publisher= Jane's|date= 2017|archive-date= 22 June 2017|url=http://www.janes.com/images/assets/520/71520/New-model_African_armies.pdf}}</ref>
| [[File:IWI 3686.jpg|150px]]
| [[7.62×39mm]]
| [[Assault rifle]]
| {{Flag|Israel}}
|-
! scope="row" | [[M16 rifle|M16]]<ref name="ewen2005">Jane's Special Forces Recognition Guide, Ewen Southby-Tailyour (2005) p. 446.</ref>
| [[File:M16A2 rightside noBG.jpg|150px]]
| [[5.56×45 mm]]
| [[Assault rifle]]
| {{Flag|United States}}
|-
! scope="row" | [[M4 carbine|M4]]<ref name="NMAA"/>
| [[File:PEO M4 Carbine RAS M68 CCO.png|150px]]
| [[5.56×45mm]]
| [[Carbine]]<hr>[[Assault rifle]]
| {{Flag|United States}}
|-
! scope="row" | [[IWI Tavor]]<ref name="jones2009"/>
| [[File:IWI-Tavor-TAR-21w1 new noBG.png|150px]]
| [[5.56×45mm]]
| [[Bullpup]]<hr>[[Assault rifle]]
| {{Flag|Israel}}
|-
! scope="row" | [[FN FAL]]<ref name="jones2009"/>
| [[File:FN-FAL belgian noBG.png|150px]]
| [[7.62×51mm]]
| [[Battle rifle]]
| {{Flag|Belgium}}
|-
! scope="row" | [[Heckler & Koch G3]]<ref name="jones2009"/>
| [[File:H&K G3FS.jpg|150px]]
| [[7.62×51mm]]
| [[Battle rifle]]
| {{Flag|West Germany}}
|-
! scope="row" | [[Lee-Enfield]]
| [[File:SMLE-No4-Mk1.png|150px]]
| [[.303 British]]
| [[Bolt-action rifle]]
| {{Flag|British Empire}}
|-
! colspan="5"| Sniper rifles
|-
! scope="row" | [[PSL (rifle)|PSL]]<ref name="jones2009"/>
| [[File:Psl sniper rifle.jpeg|150px]]
| [[7.62×54mmR]]
| [[Designated marksman rifle]]<br>[[Sniper rifle]]
| {{Flag|Socialist Republic of Romania}}
|-
! colspan="5"| Machine guns
|-
! scope="row" | [[Bren light machine gun|Bren]]<ref name="jones2009"/>
| [[File:Bren1.jpg|150px]]
| [[7.62×51mm]]
| [[Light machine gun]]
| {{Flag|United Kingdom}}
|-
! scope="row" | [[Degtyaryov machine gun|DP-27]]<ref name="jones2009"/>
| [[File:DEGTYAREV DP 28.jpg|150px]]
| [[7.62×54mmR]]
| [[Light machine gun]]
| {{Flag|Soviet Union|1924}}
|-
! scope="row" | [[RPD machine gun|RPD]]<ref name="jones2009"/>
| [[File:LMG-RPD-44 noBG.png|150px]]
| [[7.62×39mm]]
| [[Squad automatic weapon]]
| {{Flag|Soviet Union|1936}}
|-
! scope="row" | [[RPK]]<ref name="jones2009"/>
| [[File:7.62mm light machine gun RPK.png|150x150px]]
| [[7.62×39mm]]
| [[Squad automatic weapon]]
| {{Flag|Soviet Union}}
|-
! scope="row" | [[PK machine gun|PKM]]<ref name="jones2009"/>
| [[File:7,62 KK PKM Helsinki 2012 no background.JPG|150px]]
| [[7.62×54mmR]]
| [[General-purpose machine gun]]
| {{Flag|Soviet Union}}
|-
! scope="row" | [[M60 machine gun|M60]]<ref name="jones2009"/>
| [[File:M60 Medium Machine Gun (7414626098).jpg|150px]]
| [[7.62×51mm]]
| [[General-purpose machine gun]]
| {{Flag|United States|1912}}
|-
! scope="row" | [[DShK]]<ref name="jones2009"/>
| [[File:12,7-мм станковый пулемёт ДШК образца 1938 года.jpg|150px]]
| [[12.7×108mm]]
| [[Heavy machine gun]]
| {{Flag|Soviet Union|1936}}
|-
! colspan="5"| Rocket propelled grenade launchers
|-
! scope="row" | [[RPG-7]]<ref name="jones2009"/>
| [[File:Rpg-7.jpg|150px]]
| 40mm
| [[Rocket-propelled grenade]]
| {{Flag|Soviet Union}}
|-
! scope="row" | [[RPG-2]]
| [[File:RPG2 and PG2 TBiU 37.jpg|RPG2 and PG2 TBiU 37|150px]]
| [[40mm]]
| [[Rocket-propelled grenade]]
| {{Flag|Soviet Union|1936}}
|-
! colspan="5"| Grenade launchers
|-
! scope="row" | [[QLZ-87 grenade launcher|QLZ-87]]
| [[File:Type 87 Grenade Launcher.jpg|150px]]
| 35×32mm
| [[Automatic grenade launcher]]
| {{Flag|China}}
|}

=== Antitank weapons ===
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Anti-tank weapons
! scope="col" | Name
! scope="col" | Image
! scope="col" | Caliber
! scope="col" | Type
! scope="col" | Origin
|-
! scope="row" | [[9M14 Malyutka]]<ref name="2017b">International Institute for Strategic Studies, The Military Balance, 2017</ref>
| [[File:Malyutka.JPG|150px]]
|
| [[Anti-tank weapon]]
| {{Flag|Soviet Union}}
|-
! scope="row" | [[9M133 Kornet]]<ref name="portal.sipri.org">{{cite web|url=http://portal.sipri.org/publications/pages/transfer/trade-register |title=Sipri: Trade Registers |access-date=10 May 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140423140358/http://portal.sipri.org/publications/pages/transfer/trade-register |archive-date=23 April 2014 }}</ref>
| [[File:Корнет - Контрольная проверка курсантов Учебного центра боевого применения ракетных войск и артиллерии 03.jpg|150px]]
| 1,000 Kornet-E in service.
| [[Anti-tank weapon]]
| {{Flag|Russia}}
|}

=== Vehicles ===
==== Tanks ====
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Tanks
! scope="col" | Name
! scope="col" | Image
! scope="col" | Type
! scope="col" | Origin
! scope="col" | Quantity
! scope="col" | Status
|-
! scope="row" | [[T-90S]]
| [[File:Indian Army T-90.jpg|150px]]
| [[Main battle tank]]
| {{Flag|Russia}}
| 44<ref name="trade">{{cite web |url=http://armstrade.sipri.org/armstrade/page/trade_register.php |title=Trade Registers |publisher=Armstrade.sipri.org |access-date=2014-11-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100414022558/http://armstrade.sipri.org/armstrade/page/trade_register.php |archive-date=2010-04-14 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="janes.com">{{cite web|last1=Binnie|first1=Jeremy|last2=Cranny-Evans|first2=Samuel|title=Ugandan president reveals T-90 and Chinese tanks|url=http://www.janes.com/article/72655/|website=IHS Jane's 360|access-date=27 July 2017|archive-url=https://archive.today/20170727214829/http://www.janes.com/article/72655/ugandan-president-reveals-t-90-and-chinese-tanks|archive-date=27 July 2017|date=27 July 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Yoweri K Museveni">{{cite tweet|user=KagutaMuseveni|author=Yoweri K Museveni|number=889151068730519553|date=23 July 2017|title=Presided over a combined arms exercise of the Land Forces and Air Defence of the SFC at Karama Armoured Warfare Tra…}}</ref>
| 
|-
! scope="row" | [[T-72|T-72A/B1]]
| [[File:OpenWater2017qualifying-27.jpg|150px]]
| [[Main battle tank]]
| {{Flag|Soviet Union}}
| 50{{sfn|Military Balance 2023|p=485}}{{efn|40 T-72A, 10 T-72B1}}
| 
|-
! scope="row" | [[T-55]]
| [[File:6765 - Moscow - Poklonnaya Hill - Tank.JPG|150px]]
| [[Medium tank]]
| {{Flag|Soviet Union}}
| rowspan="2" | 140<ref>The Military Balance, 2023, p. 485</ref>
| 
|-
! scope="row" | [[T-54]]
| [[File:Front view of a T-54 tank.JPEG|150px]]
| [[Medium tank]]
| {{Flag|Soviet Union|1936}}
| 
|-
! scope="row" | [[PT-76]]
| [[File:ParkPatriot2015part2-40.jpg|150px]]
| [[Amphibious vehicle|Amphibious]] [[Light tank]]
| {{Flag|Soviet Union|1936}}
| 20<ref name=ISS>{{cite web | url=http://www.issafrica.org/AF/profiles/Uganda/SecInfo.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061128000132/http://www.issafrica.org/AF/profiles/Uganda/SecInfo.html | url-status=dead | archive-date=2006-11-28 | title=Uganda Security Information | publisher=Institute for Security Studies Africa | access-date=2014-12-01}}</ref>
| 
|-
! scope="row" | [[Type 80/88 main battle tank|Type 85-II-M]]
| [[File:Chinese Type 85-ІІІ Tank.jpg|150px]]
| [[Main battle tank]]
| {{Flag|China}}
| 5<ref name="SIPRI">{{cite web|url=http://armstrade.sipri.org/arms_trade/trade_register.php|title=Trade Registers|website=[[Stockholm International Peace Research Institute]]|access-date=22 April 2019|archive-date=5 August 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090805014045/http://armstrade.sipri.org/arms_trade/trade_register.php|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="janes.com"/><ref name="IISS2018_p493">[[International Institute for Strategic Studies]]: The Military Balance 2018, p. 493.</ref>
| 
|}

==== Armoured cars ====
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Reconnaissance
! scope="col" | Name
! scope="col" | Image
! scope="col" | Type
! scope="col" | Origin
! scope="col" | Quantity
! scope="col" | Status
|-
! scope="row" | [[Eland armoured car|Eland-90]]
| [[File:Eland Armoured Vehicle.jpg|150px]]
| [[Armored car (military)|Armoured car]]
| {{Flag|South Africa|1928}}
| 40<ref name=SurviveRide>{{cite book | last1=Camp | first1=Steve | last2=Helmoed-Römer | first2=Heitman | title=Surviving the Ride: A pictorial history of South African Manufactured Mine-Protected vehicles | date=November 2014 | page=239 | publisher=30 Degrees South | location=Pinetown | isbn=978-1928211-17-4}}</ref>
| 
|-
! scope="row" | [[Alvis Saladin]]
| [[File:Alvis Saladin spotted at O'Sheas Pub & Grill (310 Grapevine Hwy Hurst, TX 76054) spotted on April 7, 2013.JPG|150px]]
| [[Armored car (military)|Armored car]]
| {{Flag|United Kingdom}}
| 36<ref>{{cite web | url=http://links.org.au/node/2784 | title=Uganda: How the West brought Idi Amin to power | access-date=30 January 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150204205634/http://links.org.au/node/2784 | archive-date=4 February 2015 | url-status=dead }}</ref>
| 
|}

==== Infantry fighting vehicles ====
{| class="wikitable" style="width:90%;"
|-
! scope="col" | Name
! scope="col" | Image
! scope="col" | Type
! scope="col" | Origin
! scope="col" | Quantity
! scope="col" | Status
|-
! scope="row" | [[:cs:BVP-2|BVP-2]]
| [[File:BVP-2 military parade Prague.jpg|150px]]
| [[Infantry fighting vehicle]]
| {{Flag|Czechoslovakia}}{{efn|Delivered from [[Czech Republic]] in 2003.}}
| 41<ref name="trade"/>
| 
|-
! scope="row" | [[BMP-2]]
| [[File:BMP-2 01.jpg|150px]]
| [[Infantry fighting vehicle]]
| {{Flag|Soviet Union}}{{efn| Delivered from [[Ukraine]] in 2003.}}
| 31<ref name="trade"/>
| 
|}

==== Armoured reconnaisance ====
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Scout cars
! scope="col" | Name
! scope="col" | Image
! scope="col" | Type
! scope="col" | Origin
! scope="col" | Quantity
! scope="col" | Status
|-
! scope="row" | [[BRDM-2]]
| [[File:BRDM-2 (1964) owned by James Stewart pic7.JPG|150px]]
| [[Amphibious vehicle|Amphibious]] [[Scout car|armored scout car]]
| {{Flag|Soviet Union}}
| 100{{sfn|Stockholm International Peace Research Institute|2010}}
| 
|-
! scope="row" | [[Ferret armoured car|Daimler Ferret]]
| [[File:Daimler Ferret Mk1 Liaison (1959) owned by Clive Garton pic1.JPG|150px]]
| [[Armored car (military)|Armored car]] [[Scout car]]
| {{Flag|United Kingdom}}
| 15{{sfn|Stockholm International Peace Research Institute|2010}}
| 
|}

==== Armoured personnel carriers ====
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Armored personnel carriers
! scope="col" | Name
! scope="col" | Image
! scope="col" | Type
! scope="col" | Origin
! scope="col" | Quantity
! scope="col" | Status
|-
! scope="row" | [[BTR-60]]
| [[File:BTR-60 pic-004.JPG|150px]]
| [[Amphibious vehicle|Amphibious]] [[Armored personnel carrier]]
| {{Flag|Soviet Union}}
| 12<ref name=congo>{{cite web | url=http://www.crisisgroup.org/~/media/Files/africa/central-africa/dr-congo/Scramble%20for%20the%20Congo%20Anatomy%20of%20an%20Ugly%20War.pdf | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110903165507/http://www.crisisgroup.org/~/media/Files/africa/central-africa/dr-congo/Scramble%20for%20the%20Congo%20Anatomy%20of%20an%20Ugly%20War.pdf | url-status=dead | archive-date=3 September 2011 | title=Scramble for the Congo - Anatomy of an Ugly War | publisher=ICG Africa | date=20 December 2000 | access-date=18 June 2013}}</ref>
| 
|-
! scope="row" | [[OT-64 SKOT]]
| [[File:OT-64 SKOT.jpg|150px]]
| [[Amphibious vehicle|Amphibious]] [[Armored personnel carrier]]
| {{Flag|Polish People's Republic}}
| 4<ref name=ISS/>
| 
|-
! scope="row" | [[Mamba APC|Mamba]]
| [[File:SANDF Armed Forces Day 2017 - South African Army Mamba MkIII APC (32203158584).jpg|150px]]
| [[Armored personnel carrier]]
| {{Flag|South Africa|1982}}
| 15<ref name="trade"/>
| 
|-
! scope="row" | [[RG-31 Nyala]]
| [[File:RG-31.JPG|150px]]
| [[Infantry mobility vehicle]]
| {{Flag|South Africa}}
| 15{{sfn|Stockholm International Peace Research Institute|2010}}
| 
|-
! scope="row" | [[Buffel]]
| [[File:Bulldog armored personnel carrier.jpg|150px]]
| [[Infantry mobility vehicle]]
| {{Flag|South Africa|1928}}
| 20<ref name=congo/>
| 
|}

==== MRAPs ====
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Mine-resistant ambush protected
! scope="col" | Name
! scope="col" | Image
! scope="col" | Type
! scope="col" | Origin
! scope="col" | Quantity
! scope="col" | Status
|-
! scope="row" | [[Casspir]]
| [[File:Mechem Casspir Mk II (9686200019).jpg|150px]]
| [[MRAP]]
| {{Flag|South Africa}}
| 42<ref name=trade/>
| INS{{efn|For peacekeeping missions.<ref>{{cite video | date=19 June 2010 | title=UPDF peace Keepers return from Somalia | url=https://www.youtube.com/user/ntvuganda#p/u/20/MAKC9GG9cp4 | quote="We went [to Somalia] with [[Mamba APC|Mambas]], now we have graduated to Casspirs", Lieutenant General [[Katumba Wamala]] - Ugandan Commander, Land Forces | access-date=1 December 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161128061937/https://www.youtube.com/user/ntvuganda#p/u/20/MAKC9GG9cp4 | archive-date=28 November 2016 | url-status=live}}</ref>}}
|}

==== Engineering vehicles ====
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Engineering vehicles
! scope="col" | Name
! scope="col" | Image
! scope="col" | Type
! scope="col" | Origin
! scope="col" | Quantity
! scope="col" | Status
|-
! scope="row" | [[T-54/T-55 operators and variants|VT-55A]]
| [[File:BAHNA 2018 - 215.jpg|150px]]
| [[Armored recovery vehicle]]
| {{Flag|Soviet Union}}<br>{{Flag|Czechoslovakia}}
| Unknown
| 
|}

==== Utility vehicles ====
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Utility vehicles
! scope="col" | Name
! scope="col" | Image
! scope="col" | Type
! scope="col" | Origin
! scope="col" | Quantity
! scope="col" | Status
|-
! scope="row" | [[Humvee]]
| [[File:2015 MCAS Beaufort Air Show 041215-M-CG676-161.jpg|150px]]
| [[Military light utility vehicle|Light utility vehicle]]
| {{Flag|United States}}
| Unknown<ref name="armyweapons2011">{{cite report |date=2011 |title=2011 Army Weapon Systems Handbook |url=http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/wsh2011/136.pdf |publisher=[[United States Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology|Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology]] |page=137 |access-date=27 December 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120905092140/http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/wsh2011/136.pdf |archive-date=5 September 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref>
| 
|-
! colspan="6"| Trucks
|-
! scope="row" | [[SAMIL Trucks|SAMIL]]
| [[File:Samil 100 (9672952081).jpg|150px]]
| [[Utility vehicle|Utility truck]]
| {{Flag|South Africa|1928}}
| 450<ref name=Surplus>{{cite web | url=http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/SANDF-gets-rid-of-surplus-20051004 | title=SANDF gets rid of surplus | publisher=South African Associated Press | date=2005-10-04 | access-date=20 July 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150128102708/http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/SANDF-gets-rid-of-surplus-20051004 | archive-date=28 January 2015 | url-status=live}}</ref>
| 
|-
! scope="row" | [[Tatra 813]]
| [[File:Tatra 813 KOLOS 1.jpg|150px]]
| [[Utility vehicle|Utility truck]]
| {{Flag|Czechoslovakia}}
| Unknown
| 
|-
! scope="row" | [[Tatra 815-7]]
| [[File:BAHNA 2018 - 434 crop.jpg|150px]]
| [[Utility vehicle|Utility truck]]
| {{Flag|Czech Republic}}
| Unknown
| 
|}

=== Artillery ===
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Artillery
! scope="col" | Name
! scope="col" | Image
! scope="col" | Type
! scope="col" | Origin
! scope="col" | Quantity
! scope="col" | Status
|-
! colspan="6"| [[Self-propelled artillery]]
|-
! scope="row" | [[ATMOS 2000]]
| [[File:Atmos 2000.jpg|150px]]
| [[Self-propelled artillery]]
| {{Flag|Israel}}
| 6{{sfn|Stockholm International Peace Research Institute|2010}}
| 
|-
! colspan="6"| [[Rocket artillery]]
|-
! scope="row" | [[BM-21 Grad]]
| [[File:BM-21 Grad (04).jpg|150px]]
| [[Multiple rocket launcher]]
| {{Flag|Soviet Union}}
| 6
| 
|-
! scope="row" | [[RM-70]]
| [[File:BAHNA 2018 - 134 crop.jpg|150px]]
| [[Multiple rocket launcher]]
| {{Flag|Czechoslovakia}}
| 6{{sfn|Stockholm International Peace Research Institute|2010}}
| 
|-
! colspan="6"| [[Mortar (weapon)|Mortars]]
|-
! scope="row" | [[82-BM-37|Type 53]]
| [[File:Zagan 82 mm moździerz wz 37.jpg|150px]]
| [[Mortar (weapon)|Mortar]]
| {{Flag|Soviet Union|1936}}<br>{{Flag|China}}
| Unknown<ref name="Janes 1992">{{cite encyclopedia|title=82 mm Type 53 mortar|encyclopedia=Jane's Infantry Weapons 1992–1993|url=https://archive.org/details/Janes_Infantry_Weapons/page/n1391|page=1391|year=1992}}</ref>
| 
|-
! scope="row" | [[Cardom]]
| [[File:Cardom Mortar - Right Side View at ADAS 2018.jpg|150px]]
| [[Mortar (weapon)|Mortar]]
| {{Flag|Israel}}
| 18{{sfn|Stockholm International Peace Research Institute|2010}}
| 
|-
! colspan="6"| [[Field artillery]]
|-
! scope="row" | [[130 mm towed field gun M1954 (M-46)|M-46]]
| [[File:130 K 54 Torpin Tykit 1.JPG|150px]]
| [[Field gun]]
| {{Flag|Soviet Union|1936}}{{efn|Acquired from [[Bulgaria]].{{sfn|Stockholm International Peace Research Institute|2010}}}}
| 8<ref name=trade/>
| 
|-
! scope="row" | [[122 mm howitzer M1938 (M-30)|M-30]]
| [[File:Belgrade Military Museum - M-30 122 mm howitzer.JPG|150px]]
| [[Howitzer]]
| {{Flag|Soviet Union|1936}}{{efn|Acquired from [[Libya]].}}
| 18{{sfn|Stockholm International Peace Research Institute|2010}}
| 
|}

=== Air defense ===
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Man-portable air-defense systems
! scope="col" | Name
! scope="col" | Image
! scope="col" | Type
! scope="col" | Origin
! scope="col" | Quantity
! scope="col" | Status
|-
! scope="row" | [[9K32 Strela-2]]
| [[File:SA-7.jpg|150px]]
| [[MANPADS]]
| {{Flag|Soviet Union}}
| <ref name="2018b">{{cite journal| author=International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS)| author-link=International Institute for Strategic Studies| title=The Military Balance 2018| journal=The Military Balance| volume=118| date=14 February 2018| language=en}}</ref>
| 
|}

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Towed anti-aircraft guns
! scope="col" | Name
! scope="col" | Image
! scope="col" | Type
! scope="col" | Origin
! scope="col" | Quantity
! scope="col" | Status
|-
! scope="row" | [[ZPU-4]]
| [[File:ZPU-4 DM-SC-91-12077.JPEG|150px]]
| [[Anti-aircraft gun]]
| {{Flag|Soviet Union|1936}}
| Unknown
| 
|-
! scope="row" | [[ZU-23-2]]
| [[File:MsSVU39.jpg|150px]]
| [[Autocannon]]
| {{Flag|Soviet Union}}
| 5
| 
|-
! scope="row" | [[37 mm automatic air defence gun M1939 (61-K)|61-K]]
| [[File:61-K anti-aircraft gun, 2007.jpg|150px]]
| [[Autocannon]]
| {{Flag|Soviet Union|1936}}
| 20{{sfn|The Military Balance 2016|p=475}}
| 
|}

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Surface-to-air missile systems
! scope="col" | Name
! scope="col" | Image
! scope="col" | Type
! scope="col" | Origin
! scope="col" | Quantity
! scope="col" | Status
|-
! scope="row" | [[S-125 Neva]]
| [[File:ЗРК С-125М с ЗУР 5В27Д - Парка Патриот 01.jpg|150px]]
| [[Surface-to-air missile]]
| {{Flag|Soviet Union}}
| 4
| 
|-
! scope="row" | [[9K31 Strela-1]]
| [[File:SA-9 Gaskin.JPG|150px]]
| [[Surface-to-air missile]]
| {{Flag|Soviet Union}}
| Unknown
| 
|}

Previous equipment included the [[M4 Sherman]] tank. SIPRI trade registers indicated transfer of at least 12 vehicles,{{sfn|Stockholm International Peace Research Institute|2010}} and in 1999, another source listed 3 Shermans in service.<ref name="handbook">{{cite book | last=Copley | first=Gregory | title=Defense & Foreign Affairs Handbook 1999 | page=821}}</ref>

== Air Force==
{{main|Uganda Air Force}}
[[File:Roundel of Uganda - Type 1.svg|thumb|right|150px|Uganda People's Defence Air Force roundel]]
The Uganda Army Air Force (UAAF) was established in 1964 with [[Israel]]i aid. Its first aircraft was consequently of Israeli origin, and its initial pilots trained in Israel. As Uganda's government forged closer links with the [[Eastern Bloc]], the UAAF began to acquire more aircraft as well as support in training from the [[Soviet Union]], [[Czechoslovak Socialist Republic|Czechoslovakia]], and [[Libyan Arab Jamahiriya|Libya]]. Israeli aid initially continued as well.

By late 1978, the UAAF was commanded by [[Lieutenant Colonel]] [[Christopher Israel Umba Gore|Christopher Gore]]{{sfn|Avirgan|Honey|1983|p=50}} and consisted of several dozen [[List of Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 variants#Modernisation – generation three (1968–1972)|MiG-21MFs]], [[List of Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 variants#Trainer variants (1960–1968+)|MiG-21UMs]], [[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17|MiG-17s]],{{sfn|Cooper|Fontanellaz|2015|p=18}} and [[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15|MiG-15UTIs]]. Some of the available aircraft were not combat-ready, however, and were abandoned during the Uganda–Tanzania War without seeing action.{{sfn|Cooper|Fontanellaz|2015|p=19}} The lack of spare parts especially affected the MiG-15s and MiG-17s.{{sfn|Seftel|2010|p=227}} The UAAF was split into three fighter squadrons.{{sfn|Seftel|2010|p=227}} However the force was effectively wiped out during the 1978-1979 [[air campaign of the Uganda-Tanzania War]].

There are conflicting reports on what aircraft the [[Ugandan Air Force]] has in service as of 2019–2020. Lieutenant General [[Charles Lutaaya|Charles Lwanga Lutaaya]], is the commander.<ref>{{cite web|access-date=25 November 2019 |url=https://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Air-force-Chief-of-staff-Kwiringira-UPDF-Maj-Gen-Birungi/688334-5177532-hc079o/index.html |title=Air Force Gets New Chief of Staff |newspaper=[[Daily Monitor]] |date=30 June 2019 |first=Risdel |last=Kasasira |place=Kampala}}</ref>

In 2011, [[Emmanuel Tumusiime-Mutebile]], the central bank governor, caused large volatility in the Ugandan shilling when he told the ''[[Financial Times]]'' that President Museveni had ignored technical advice against using Uganda's small foreign exchange reserves to buy new [[Sukhoi Su-30]] fighter aircraft.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1199984/-/byjv5nz/-/ | title=New Russian-built jet fighters arrive | last1=Butagira | first1=Tabu | last2=Ssebuyira | first2=Martin | work=[[Daily Monitor|The Monitor]] | location=[[Kampala]] | date=13 July 2011 | access-date=17 January 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170930131148/http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1199984/-/byjv5nz/-/ | archive-date=30 September 2017 | url-status=dead }}</ref>

=== Inventory===
[[File:Uganda People's Defence Force Air Wing Sukhoi Su-30MK2 MTI-1.jpg|thumb|A Sukhoi Su-30MK2 taxiing]]
[[File:Uganda People's Defence Force Air Wing Bell 206B JetRanger II MTI-1.jpg|thumb|A [[Bell 206]] helicopter landing]]
{| class="wikitable"
! style="text-align:center; background:#acc;"|Aircraft
! style="text-align: center; background:#acc;"|Origin
! style="text-align:l center; background:#acc;"|Type
! style="text-align:left; background:#acc;"|Variant
! style="text-align:center; background:#acc;"|In service
! style="text-align: center; background:#acc;"|Notes
|-
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | [[Military aircraft#Combat aircraft|Combat Aircraft]]
|-
| [[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21|MiG-21]]
| [[Soviet Union]]
| fighter
| 
| 5<ref name="World Air Forces 2023">{{cite news |last = |first = |url= https://www.flightglobal.com/download?ac=90688|title = World Air Forces 2023|newspaper = Flight Global|publisher= Flightglobal Insight |year= 2023 |doi = |access-date= 7 July 2023}}</ref>
|.
|-
| [[Sukhoi Su-30]]
| [[Russia]]
|multirole
| [[Sukhoi Su-30MK2|Su-30MK2]]
| 5<ref name="World Air Forces 2023"/>
|
|-
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | [[military transport aircraft|Transport]]
|-
| [[Cessna 208 Caravan|Cessna 208]]
| [[United States]]
| utility / transport
|
| 2<ref name="World Air Forces 2023"/>
|
|-
| [[Short SC.7 Skyvan|Short Skyvan]]
| [[United Kingdom]]
| utility / transport
|
| 1<ref name="World Air Forces 2023"/>
|
|-
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | [[Helicopters]]
|-
|[[Bell 206]]
| United States
|utility 
|
|5<ref name="World Air Forces 2023"/>
| 
|-
|[[Bell UH-1 Iroquois|Bell UH-1]]
|United States
|utility 
|[[Bell UH-1 Iroquois variants#UH-1H|UH-1H]]
|5<ref name="World Air Forces 2023"/>
|donated by the US<ref name="Don">{{cite web | url=http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/US-explains-Shs265b-combat-helicopters--aid-Uganda/688334-3399072-p4467s/index.html | title=US explains Shs265b combat helicopters' aid to Uganda | access-date=29 September 2016 | date=29 September 2016 | first=Isaac | last=Mufumba | newspaper=[[Daily Monitor]] | location=Kampala | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160929132943/http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/US-explains-Shs265b-combat-helicopters--aid-Uganda/688334-3399072-p4467s/index.html | archive-date=29 September 2016 | url-status=dead }}</ref>
|-
| [[Mil Mi-17]]
| Russia
| utility
|
| 10<ref name="World Air Forces 2023"/>
| 
|-
|[[Mil Mi-24]]
| Russia
|attack
|[[Mil Mi-24 variants|Mi-35]]
|5<ref name="World Air Forces 2023"/>
| 
|-
|[[Mil Mi-28]]
| Russia
|attack
|
|3+<ref>{{Cite report |title=The Military Balance 2023 |author=International Institute for Strategic Studies |date=2023 |publisher=[[Routledge]] |isbn=9781032508955 |issn=0459-7222 |author-link=International Institute for Strategic Studies |editor-last=Hackett |editor-first=James |page=486}}</ref>
| 
|-
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | [[Trainer (aircraft)|Trainer Aircraft]]
|-
|[[Aero L-39 Albatros|Aero L-39]]
| [[Czech Republic]]
|jet trainer
|
| 8<ref name="World Air Forces 2023"/>
| 
|-
|[[SIAI-Marchetti SF.260]]
| [[Italy]]
| basic trainer 
|
|4<ref name="World Air Forces 2023"/>
| 
|}

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

==See also==
* [[Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs (Uganda)|Uganda Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs]]
* [[Uganda Ministry of Defence Headquarters]]

== References ==
{{reflist|30em}}
* {{cite web |author=Stockholm International Peace Research Institute |title=Trade Registers (as at 14 April 2010) |url=https://armstrade.sipri.org/armstrade/page/trade_register.php |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100414022558/http://armstrade.sipri.org/armstrade/page/trade_register.php |date=2010|archive-date=14 April 2010 |access-date=20 November 2014 |publisher=Armstrade.sipri.org}}

== Bibliography ==
{{commons category|Army of Uganda}}
* {{cite journal|title=World Defence Almanac|journal=Military Technology|volume=XXXII|issue=1|page=335|publisher=Monch Publishing Group|location=Bonn, Germany|issn=0722-3226 }}
* Abbott, P. & Ruggeri, R., ''Modern African Wars (4): The Congo 1960–2002'', Men-at-Arms Series 492, Osprey Publishing, London, 2014.
* Amii Omara-Otunnu, ''Politics and the Military in Uganda 1890-1985'', St. Martin's Press, New York, 1987.
* {{cite book |last1=Avirgan |first1=Tony |author-link=Tony Avirgan |last2=Honey |first2=Martha |author2-link=Martha Honey |title=War in Uganda: The Legacy of Idi Amin |location=Dar es Salaam |publisher=Tanzania Publishing House |date=1983 |isbn=978-9976-1-0056-3}}
* Cooper, Tom, ''Africa@War Volume 14: Great Lakes Conflagration – The Second Congo War, 1998–2003'', Helion & Co Ltd, England, and Thirty Degrees South Publishers Pty Ltd, Johannesburg, 2013.
* {{cite book |last1=Cooper |first1=Tom |last2=Fontanellaz |first2=Adrien |title=Wars and Insurgencies of Uganda 1971–1994 |date=2015 |publisher=Helion & Company Limited |location=[[Solihull]] |isbn=978-1-910294-55-0}}
* Oloya, Opiyo, ''Black Hawks Rising: The Story of AMISOM's Successful War Against Somali Insurgents 2007-2014'', Helion & Co Ltd, Solihull, England, 2016. {{ISBN|978-1-910777-69-5}}
* {{cite book|last=Mudoola |first=Dan M. |date=1991 |editor-last=Hansen |editor-first=Holger Bernt|title=Changing Uganda: The Dilemmas of Structural Adjustment and Revolutionary Change |publisher=James Currey |pages=230–246 |chapter=Chapter 17: Institution-Building: The Case of the NRM and the military in Uganda 1986-89 }}
* Prunier, Gérard, ''Africa's World War: Congo, The Rwandan Genocide and the Making of a Continental Catastrophe'', Oxford University Press, London, 2009. {{ISBN|978-0-19-975420-5}}
* {{cite book |editor-last=Seftel |editor-first=Adam |title=Uganda: The Bloodstained Pearl of Africa and Its Struggle for Peace. From the Pages of Drum |publisher=Fountain Publishers |date=2010 |orig-year=1st pub. 1994 |location=Kampala |isbn=978-9970-02-036-2}}
* {{cite book |title=The Military Balance 2016 |date=February 2016 |volume=116 |isbn=9781857438352 |publisher=Routlegde |ref={{harvid|The Military Balance 2016}} |author=International Institute for Strategic Studies |author-link=International Institute for Strategic Studies}}
* {{cite book |last1=International Institute for Strategic Studies |title=The Military Balance 2023 |date=February 2023 |publisher=Routledge, Chapman & Hall, Incorporated |isbn=978-1-032-50895-5 |ref={{harvid|Military Balance 2023}} |language=en |author1-link=International Institute for Strategic Studies }}

==Further reading==
* [http://www.africa-confidential.com/article-preview/id/901/One_way_street One way street], [[Africa Confidential]], Volume 41 No 9. Deep rivalries in the Ugandan People's Defence Forces have been the main reason for the UPDF's failure to defeat the LRA since the late 1980s.
* Conor Davis, "Border disorder" [Description of DRC entry 2022 in Operation "Shujaa"], [[Jane's Defence Weekly]], Vol. 59, No. 16, 20 April 2022, 24–29.
* Max Delany, and Jeremy Binnie, 'Triple helicopter crash is major blow for Uganda, AMISOM,' [[Jane's Defence Weekly]], 22 August 2013, 10.
* Rune Hjalmar Espeland, and Stina Petersen (2010). The Ugandan army and its war in the North. [[Forum for Development Studies]]. 37(2): 193- 215
* Lee, J. M. (1969), African Armies and Civil Order, [[International Institute for Strategic Studies]]/Chatto and Windus, 1969, 77, 105.
* Ngoga, Pascal. "Uganda: The National Resistance Army." African guerrillas (1998): 91–106.
* Gerard Prunier, ''From Genocide to Continental War: the 'Congolese' Conflict and the Crisis of Contemporary Africa'', Hurst & Co., London, 2009, {{ISBN|978-1-85065-523-7}} (p.&nbsp;88, 186, 197)
* "U.S. relies on contractors in Somalia conflict," ''[[New York Times]]'', 10 August 2011
* Rocky Williams, "National defence reform and the African Union." [[SIPRI]] Yearbook 2004: 231–249.
* https://chimpreports.com/museveni-why-i-elevated-1st-commando-battalion-to-brigade/ - history of Commandos, 2021.

{{Uganda topics}}
{{Military of Africa}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Uganda People's Defence Force| ]]
[[Category:Military of Uganda| ]]
[[Category:Military units and factions of the Ituri conflict]]