The Minister of Defence and Veterans Affairs, Kiryowa Kiwanuka, on Tuesday appeared before the Parliamentary Committee on Defence and Internal Affairs to present the state of the ministry, accountability and resource needs of the Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs (MODVA) and the UPDF. He was accompanied by the Minister of State for Defence, Grace Akifeza Ngabirano, and the Minister of State for Veteran Affairs, Huda Abason Oleru. The committee is chaired by Robina Rwakoojo. Kiwanuka briefed MPs on the constitutional mandate of the UPDF under Article 208 and outlined key achievements recorded between 2021 and 2026. These include sustained peace and security during elections, acquisition and maintenance of strategic equipment, consistent annual recruitment of about 10,000 personnel, and continuous professional training. He noted the establishment of the National Defence College–Uganda in 2022, which has so far graduated 83 students. On welfare, the minister reported phased salary and pension enhancements, full and timely pension payments totalling more than Shs 540 billion, and progress on a 250-bed UPDF National Referral Hospital. Infrastructure gains include the construction of 30,000 housing units for the force (1,000 completed so far) and ongoing work on the MODVA/UPDF headquarters, expected to be commissioned by 30 September 2026. Kiwanuka tabled several requests for parliamentary support, including backing for peace support operations, legislation for an autonomous UPDF National Referral Hospital, and duty-free status for the Defence Forces Shop. He also cited challenges such as inadequate budget, delayed AUSSOM funds and housing shortages. The ministers reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to a professional, disciplined and productive force subordinate to civilian authority.