Uganda Army

The Uganda People's Defence Forces Land Forces constitute the ground component of Uganda's armed forces. Overall command is exercised through the Chief of Defence Forces, with daily administration directed by the Commander Land Forces from headquarters at Mbuya Barracks in Kampala. Main combat formations comprise seven regular divisions and specialized brigades. Regional divisions include the 1st Infantry Division headquartered at Kakiri, the 2nd Infantry Division at Mbarara, the 3rd Infantry Division at Moroto, the 4th Infantry Division at Gulu, the 5th Infantry Division at Pader, and the Mountain Division headquartered at Fort Portal. Specialized formations include the Special Forces Command headquartered in Entebbe, the Armored Brigade stationed at Masaka, the Artillery Brigade at Masindi, and the Air Defence Brigade at Nakasongola.

Ground force maneuver elements field main battle tanks, armored fighting vehicles, and mine-resistant ambush-protected systems. Armored formations operate T-90S, T-72, T-55, and Type 85-IIM main battle tanks. Mechanized and motorized infantry units deploy BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicles, along with BTR-60, BTR-80, Type 92, and VN2C armored personnel carriers. Tactical mobility and troop transport rely on mine-protected vehicles including Casspir, Mamba, RG-31 Nyala, and Katmerciler HIZIR platforms. Ground artillery units utilize Type 81, RM-70, and BM-21 Grad multiple rocket launchers, ATMOS 2000 self-propelled howitzers, SPEAR Mk.2 and CARDOM automated mortar systems, and towed D-30 122mm and M-46 130mm field guns. Air defense units maintain short-range air defense coverage using S-125 Pechora surface-to-air missile systems, Strela-2 and Igla man-portable air defense systems, and ZU-23-2 anti-aircraft guns.

Ugandan ground forces are routinely deployed in domestic security, border defense, and foreign counter-insurgency operations. Under Operation Shujaa, land forces maintain a sustained military presence in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo in coordination with Congolese state forces, conducting counter-insurgency operations against the Allied Democratic Forces and local militia groups in Ituri and North Kivu provinces. Externally, the land forces provide a primary contingent for African Union peacekeeping missions in Somalia, transitioning operations from ATMIS to the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia. Internally, army formations conduct ongoing security and disarmament operations across the Karamoja sub-region to curb cross-border cattle rustling and illicit small arms proliferation.

Defense modernization focuses on enhancing indigenous assembly capabilities and expanding armored vehicle production. Domestic military production is managed through the National Enterprise Corporation and its subsidiary Luwero Industries. Armored vehicle assembly and repair facilities operate at Magamaga and Nakasongola, producing locally modified mine-resistant vehicles such as the Nyoka, Chui, and Nyati. Through a joint venture with foreign manufacturers, local facilities assemble Tornado class mine-resistant ambush-protected vehicles and provide refurbishment for heavy land weapons, reducing foreign procurement reliance for light and medium tactical armor.