Defence ministry hails Oboth’s legacy
Byengoma described Oboth as a dedicated and approachable leader whose tenure was marked by major policy, institutional and welfare reforms.
Outgoing minister Jacob Marksons Oboth poses for a group photo with the new minister of defence and veteran affairs, former Attorney General Kiryowa Kiwanuka, with other staff of the defence ministry, during the formal hand over of office. (Credit: Mpalanyi Ssentongo)
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The Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs has hailed outgoing minister Jacob Marksons Oboth for steering key reforms and strengthening the country’s defence institutions during his tenure.
The commendation came as he formally handed over office to former Attorney General Kiryowa Kiwanuka, following Oboth’s election as Speaker of Parliament.
Speaking at the handover ceremony at the ministry headquarters in Mbuya on June 10, 2026, permanent secretary Rosette Byengoma described Oboth as a dedicated and approachable leader whose tenure was marked by major policy, institutional and welfare reforms.
She said Oboth fostered a strong spirit of teamwork and cooperation across the ministry
and consistently demonstrated willingness to listen, engage and support staff in delivering the ministry’s mandate.
Byengoma highlighted several milestones achieved under Oboth’s leadership, including the review of the Defence Policy and the amendment of the UPDF Act to respond to emerging security challenges.
(Credit: Mpalanyi Ssentongo)
She also cited the completion and operationalisation of the outpatient department at the UPDF National Referral Hospital, the establishment of the National Defence College Uganda, and the creation of the Uganda campus of India’s National Forensic Sciences University.
Other achievements included enhancement of UPDF salaries and terminal benefits, support for Uganda’s peace support operations in Somalia, continued joint operations against Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) remnants in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo under Operation Shujaa, and the expansion of the UPDF Spouses Economic Empowerment Programme aimed at improving the livelihoods of military families.
The ministry’s acting director of defence public information, Col Chris Magezi, also paid tribute to Oboth, revealing that Chief of Defence Forces Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba had recently described him as the best-performing minister in government over the last five years.
“The Chief of Defence Forces said recently that you were the best-performing minister in the last five years, and I don't think anyone has reason to doubt that assertion,” Magezi said.
Outgoing minister Jacob Marksons Oboth. (Credit: Mpalanyi Ssentongo)
Oboth, who last month assumed office as Speaker of Parliament, said the ministry’s achievements were the result of teamwork among political leadership, military command, and technical staff.
“Serving as Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs has been both a privilege and a profound duty. We registered successes in strengthening national security, modernisation and capacity building, regional and international cooperation, and improving the welfare of veterans and their families,” Oboth said.
He noted that despite the progress made, challenges remained, particularly in improving soldiers’ welfare and supporting the growing number of veterans requiring healthcare, financial assistance and livelihood support.
“The issue of personnel welfare, we tried, but we never got where we intended to be,” he said, urging his successor to continue pursuing improvements in military pay and retirement benefits.
The handover ushered in Kiryowa Kiwanuka, who moves from the Attorney General’s chambers to take charge of the defence docket.
Kiwanuka pledged to build on the ministry’s achievements while prioritising accountability, operational readiness and veterans’ welfare.
“I stand before you with humility and resolve as I assume the office of Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs. The law defines the values; defence protects them,” he said.
He pledged to strengthen systems within the ministry, eliminate waste, ensure defence resources reach frontline personnel, and improve services for veterans through faster pension processing and enhanced rehabilitation programmes.
“No veteran should wait for years for what they earned,” Kiwanuka said.
The ceremony also witnessed the reappointment of Dr Huda Oleru Abason as Minister of State for Veteran Affairs and the swearing-in of Grace Akifeza Ngabirano as Minister of State for Defence, replacing the late Sarah Nyirabashitsi Mateke, whose death left the position vacant.
Among those in attendance were Deputy Chief of Defence Forces and Inspector General of the UPDF Lt Gen. Sam Okiding, Reserve Force Commander, Lt Gen. Charles Otema, Air Force Commander Lt Gen. Charles Okidi, Chief of Joint Staff Lt Gen. Jack Bakasumba and Lt Gen. James Mugira.