Kampala, Uganda – President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has officially signed into law the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (Amendment) Bill, 2025, a move expected to significantly reshape the country’s military command, recruitment processes, and disciplinary procedures.
The signing was confirmed today, bringing an end to months of debate over the bill’s controversial provisions.
“I have assented to the UPDF (Amendment) Bill, 2025,” President Museveni declared in a brief communication from State House Entebbe.
While details of the final version remain to be fully gazetted, insiders say the law grants expanded powers to the Commander-in-Chief, updates the military justice system, and redefines the composition of the UPDF High Command.
The UPDF (Amendment) Bill, 2025, is believed to include several key reforms:
Broader presidential control over military promotions and deployments
Streamlined recruitment procedures, potentially fast-tracking specialized skills into the force
Amended structure of military courts, giving them more autonomy and expedited jurisdiction
Revised penalties for insubordination, desertion, and political involvement by officers
The bill also reportedly introduces new protocols on political neutrality for serving soldiers and reaffirms the UPDF’s role in safeguarding Uganda’s sovereignty and constitutional order.
The bill passed Parliament amid mixed reactions, with ruling party legislators praising it as necessary for professionalizing the force, while opposition MPs warned it could further concentrate power in the executive and muzzle internal dissent within the military.
“This bill gives the President more direct leverage over the command structure. It’s a classic centralisation of power,” said Hon. Betty Nambooze, a vocal critic during the debate.
Proponents, however, argue the amendments will help the UPDF adapt to new security threats, including terrorism, cyber warfare, and cross-border instability in the Great Lakes region.
With the law now in force, the Ministry of Defence is expected to issue updated regulations, and the Uganda Gazette will publish the official legal text within the coming week. Military insiders suggest that key appointments and structural changes could follow within months, especially at senior command levels.
“This is a big moment for the UPDF,” It sets the stage for a leaner, more responsive, and technically advanced force.”
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