Politics 3 April 2026 Parliament of Uganda
Parliament Approves Pay Boost for UPDF Privates from Shs 650,000 to Shs 816,280
Uganda's Parliament has greenlit a salary increase for Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces privates, raising their pay from Shs 650,000 to Shs 816,280, pending budget allocation. The agreement came during a committee meeting between defence officials and MPs aiming to progress toward a Shs 1 million target. Source: https://www.parliament.go.ug/index.php/news/4385/pay-rise-army-privates-gets-greenlight
Parliament has given the go-ahead for a significant salary hike for privates in the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF). Their monthly pay is set to rise from Shs 650,000 to Shs 816,280, following discussions between the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs and the Committee on Defence and Internal Affairs.
The decision emerged during a Thursday meeting on April 2, 2026, where State Minister Hon. Huda Oleru and her team, including Under Secretary Edith Buturo, faced the committee chaired by Hon. Wilson Kajwengye. MPs noted that while previous increments had lifted privates from Shs 400,000 to Shs 650,000, funding shortages stalled the next phase to Shs 816,280.
Hon. Gilbert Olanya (Kilak South County) urged incremental steps toward Shs 1 million, suggesting phased allocations across financial years. The committee plans to escalate the issue to the Budget Committee for finance ministry engagement to secure the funds.
In related updates, Maj. Gen. Richard Otto, Chief of Defence Intelligence and Security, assured MPs of Uganda’s stable security post-2026 elections. He highlighted ongoing threats like ADF (now Islamic State Central African Province), cyber risks to infrastructure, border pressures, Karamoja livestock thefts (110 incidents since January with 500 animals stolen and four deaths), and urban violent crimes (700 incidents, over 250 killed).
Security forces reported recoveries of 45 firearms, 210 ammunition rounds, and 380 livestock.
Source: Parliament of Uganda