The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) has requested an additional Shs112.2 billion in the FY 2026/27 budget to cater for food supplies following an increase in its personnel, including the planned recruitment of 10,000 new soldiers.
The request is contained in a report by the Parliamentary Committee on Defence and Internal Affairs under Vote 004: Defence and Veteran Affairs, which highlights a major shortfall in the funds allocated for foodstuffs for the armed forces.
According to the committee, the existing budget cannot adequately meet the feeding requirements of the growing UPDF workforce, making additional funding necessary to avoid operational challenges.
“The shortfall of Shs112.2 billion is required to accommodate an increase in personnel currently, along with the new recruitment of an additional 10,000 personnel,” the committee noted in its report.
The committee has recommended that the Ministry of Finance prioritise the allocation in the FY 2026/27 budget estimates to prevent the UPDF from having to seek supplementary funding during the financial year.
“The committee recommends that the required Shs112.2 billion should be given priority in the FY 2026/27 budget estimates to prevent the need for supplementary allocations during the budget’s implementation,” the report states.
