President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on Wednesday commissioned modern housing facilities for Special Forces Command (SFC) personnel at Nakasero to boost troop welfare and military readiness.
Speaking at the launch ceremony, President Museveni outlined the foundational doctrine that guided the National Resistance Army (NRA) during the liberation struggle.
He stressed that military institutions must plan strictly within their available resources rather than overextending on lavish initiatives.
“The shape of the head determines the hairstyle,” President Museveni said, citing a traditional proverb to emphasize fiscal discipline.
The President recalled that the NRA launched its historical guerrilla campaign with only 27 rifles against a conventional 60,000-man national army.
“That is why we did not make the mistake of the old armies of Amin and Obote. They started with remuneration, paying soldiers very well and building barracks for them,” he said.
President Museveni noted that early revolutionary priorities demanded channeling limited capital into munitions and physical drills rather than immediate comforts.
“What a soldier needs, apart from food and some clothes, is weapons and training. Even if that is all you have, you can still fight,” he said.
He indicated that expanding national revenue now permits systematic upgrades to troop accommodations across Uganda.
President Museveni praised Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba for prioritizing military housing infrastructure during operational field deployments.
“He would get that money which was used for operations and instead use it to build barracks. We were always insisting that commanders must stay in the barracks,” President Museveni said.
He explained that quartering personnel inside official barracks serves critical tactical and defensive purposes during conflicts.
State House Comptroller Jane Barekye confirmed that the Shs-funded project broke ground in 2023 and concluded in 2025.
Barekye noted that the newly unveiled complex comprises two dormitories capable of housing 518 personnel.
“Thank you, Mzee, for believing in us to serve and for the support in terms of resources to deliver this assignment in time,” Ms. Barekye said.
Commander of the Special Forces Command Maj. Gen. Asaph Mweteise Nyakikuru stated that modern housing directly elevates field performance and morale across specialized formations.
“On behalf of the SFC, it is my honour to welcome you on this important occasion of the opening of these dormitories for our soldiers,” Maj. Gen. Nyakikuru said.
Maj. Gen. Nyakikuru affirmed that the command is also investing heavily in advanced tactical surveillance, digitized communication grids, and specialized command posts.
Project technical adviser Prof. John Stanley Ralph Senfuma highlighted that Ugandan engineers and artisans constructed the facilities without foreign contractor assistance.
“This work has been done by Ugandans, 100 percent,” Prof. Senfuma said. “These people can work if they have proper management and support.”
Prof. Senfuma urged military administrators to allocate dedicated maintenance funds to preserve the structural durability of the new residential blocks.