President Yoweri Museveni has announced that a total of 992 rounds of assorted ammunition and several firearms have been recovered over the past year. He made the disclosure while delivering the State of the Nation Address, during which he provided a comprehensive update on Uganda’s current security landscape.
Museveni affirmed that, overall, Uganda remains calm and stable. Since November 2024, a total of 223 abductees have been successfully rescued from captivity. Security forces have also recovered a range of weapons and ammunition, including 13 submachine guns (SMGs), 3 rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) bombs, 27 multi-grenade launcher (MGL) bombs, one grenade, and 1,020 rounds of PKM/SMG ammunition. In addition, authorities have seized communication equipment, 14 improvised explosive device (IED) components, and other materials used in bomb-making.
The President emphasized that Uganda continues to face both traditional and non-traditional threats to national security. These include terrorism, negative political activism, general and cross-border crime, as well as health-related and environmental risks.
He noted that while Uganda’s national borders remain largely secure, there are persistent spillover effects from conflicts in neighboring countries such as the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), South Sudan, Sudan, and Somalia. These regional conflicts contribute to an influx of refugees and asylum seekers, illegal immigration, and the spread of small arms and light weapons into Uganda.
“The capacity of our national security agencies—including the Uganda Police Force, the Internal Security Organization, and the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF)—has been enhanced to effectively combat crime and ensure the safety of all Ugandans,” said Museveni.
The President also reported a significant improvement in the security situation in the Karamoja Sub-region. However, he acknowledged that some criminal activities persist, including livestock theft and incursions by the Pokot and Turkana communities from neighboring Kenya.
To counter cattle thefts committed by some Karimojong individuals in neighboring regions such as Sebei, Teso, Lango, and Acholi, security forces have maintained strategic deployments. Meanwhile, in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, joint operations between the UPDF and the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) against the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) continue to deliver substantial results.
President Museveni reiterated the government’s unwavering commitment to modernizing and professionalizing Uganda’s security forces. This includes efforts to improve the welfare of security personnel and to strengthen collaboration between security agencies and civilians.
He further highlighted the contributions of the UPDF Construction Brigade, which has been instrumental in rehabilitating schools in rural communities. Working alongside the National Enterprises Corporation (NEC), the Brigade has also played a key role in major national infrastructure projects, notably the rehabilitation of Entebbe International Airport.