The Shadow Minister for Defence, Derrick Nyeko told members of Parliament to prioritize plans to amend the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) Act, 2005, permitting Parliament to vet the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Deputy CDF before they take office.
Nyeko said this amendment will be a priority for the opposition in the 2025/26 financial year, arguing that the vetting process will ensure the leaders are competent and have integrity.
“While the Inspector General of Police and Commissioner of Prisons are vetted by Parliament, the CDF is not subject to any independent public review,” Nyeko stated.
According to him, the discipline of the UPDF continues to be questioned, with the criminal justice in the military not meeting the minimum standards of justice.
Nyeko made these statements in a document dated March 20, 2025, addressed to the defense and veteran affairs sector for the financial year 2025/2026.
He called for greater transparency and accountability in the defense sector, especially regarding classified budgets, arguing that the secretive nature of these funds encourages corruption despite the heavy spending on the Army’s classified projects.
“While investment in national security is essential, there is limited transparency in how these funds are used. Cases of inflated contracts and poor financial management raise serious concerns,” Nyeko stated.
He pointed out that in the 2021/2022 financial year, the classified defense budget was UGX 2.956 trillion—UGX 743.74 billion more than what was spent on general staff salaries and over twice what was allocated to roads and bridges.
Nyeko insisted that Parliament should have stronger oversight over the defense budget and that the government should publish detailed reports on how the money is spent.
