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On Monday, June 17, it was revealed that President Yoweri Museveni assented to The Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (Amendment) Act, 2025.
One of the most controversial sections of the law is how it affects civilians' dress, as the army has gazetted what were previously civilian clothes for themselves, leaving civilians frustrated. (See tweets below)
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Additionally, Section 38 substitutes Section 195 of the Act to create the General Court Martial, which shall consist of the Head of the General Court Martial, not below the rank of Brigadier General, and who qualifies to be a Judge of the High Court.
Following the signing of the UPDF amendment bill into law, Section 2 of the Act makes the Special Force Command (SFC) one of the four services of the UPDF, alongside the Land Force, Air Force, Reserve Force, and any other service prescribed by the Defence Council with Parliament’s approval.
Section 4(b) of the Act states that the Deputy Chief of Defence Forces will now also serve as the Inspector General of the Defence Forces, while Section 4(e) creates the office of Commander of the Special Force Command.
Section 7(1)(e) retains the membership of the High Command as of January 26, 1986, with the condition that members must not engage in active partisan politics.
The High Command is chaired by the president, with other members including the CDF, deputy CDF, defence ministers and permanent secretary, all service commanders, all deputy service commanders, the chief of joint staff, all service chiefs of staff, and all joint staff of the respective branches at the Defence Forces Joint Services Headquarters.
Under Section 89A of the Act, the Pensions Act will no longer apply to UPDF members, who will now have their own pension scheme, with the Permanent Secretary designated as the pensions authority.
Part IV of the Act, beginning with Section 115A, guarantees officers and militants of the UPDF access to healthcare as a legal right.