The Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) welfare programme continues to broaden its footprint across the country, with the Defence Forces Shop Uganda Limited (DFSUL) announcing plans to establish outlets at every division headquarters, brigade and major military unit as part of efforts to improve the welfare of serving soldiers, veterans and their families.
The expansion comes as the organisation ushers in new leadership following the appointment of Colonel Deus Taremwa as General Manager, replacing Brigadier General Metland Bitumbika, who officially handed over office during a ceremony at the Land Force Headquarters in Bombo.
Once operating from a single outlet, the Defence Forces Shop has grown into a nationwide welfare enterprise with 13 branches strategically located across Uganda. The network provides subsidised goods and services to personnel of the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs (MoDVA) and the UPDF, helping ease the cost of living for military families.
Established as a duty-free welfare outlet, the Defence Forces Shop imports and sells a wide range of essential commodities whose taxes are offset through government support. The arrangement enables soldiers and veterans to purchase goods at significantly lower prices than those available on the open market.
Presiding over the handover ceremony, the Deputy Chief of Defence Forces and Inspector General of the UPDF, Lieutenant General Sam Okiding, praised Brig Gen Bitumbika for steering the institution through a period of remarkable growth and transformation.
Lt Gen Okiding described the outgoing General Manager as a dedicated and disciplined leader whose stewardship had strengthened one of the military’s most important welfare initiatives.
He urged Col Taremwa to safeguard the achievements made so far while driving the institution to even greater heights.
“Take this as a critical welfare function of the UPDF so that the strategic objectives of the Defence Forces Shop Uganda Limited are achieved,” Lt Gen Okiding said.
The Deputy CDF emphasized that improving the welfare of soldiers remains central to building a motivated, professional and effective fighting force, noting that access to affordable essential commodities directly contributes to the well-being of military personnel and their families.
From Building Materials to Everyday Essentials
Reflecting on his tenure, Brig Gen Bitumbika said the Defence Forces Shop was initially established to solve one of the most pressing challenges affecting soldiers—adequate housing.He explained that the shop first concentrated on providing affordable construction materials after the UPDF leadership realized many soldiers struggled to build permanent homes despite years of service.
“We started with building materials because we realised that many soldiers needed support to construct their homes,” Brig Gen Bitumbika said.”Today, many soldiers are becoming homeowners because they can access materials at affordable prices.”
He noted that as the welfare needs of military personnel evolved, the institution expanded its inventory beyond construction materials to include household consumables, food items and other essential commodities required by soldiers and their families.
According to Brig Gen Bitumbika, the Defence Forces Shop has also strengthened partnerships with private sector manufacturers and suppliers to guarantee a steady supply of quality products while maintaining affordable prices.
He said these partnerships have enabled the institution to remain competitive while fulfilling its welfare mandate.
Gratitude and Transition
As he prepared to retire from active service, Brig Gen Bitumbika thanked the UPDF leadership for the trust placed in him throughout his tenure.
He particularly expressed gratitude to the Chief of Defence Forces, the Defence Forces Shop Board of Directors, management and staff, as well as managers of Defence Forces Shop branches across the country for their teamwork and commitment to the institution’s success.
“The achievements we celebrate today are the result of teamwork and the unwavering support I received from the UPDF leadership and the dedicated staff of the Defence Forces Shop,” he noted.
Taking over the reins, Col Deus Taremwa pledged to consolidate the gains made under his predecessor while pursuing new opportunities to improve efficiency, accountability and customer service.
He thanked the UPDF High Command for entrusting him with the responsibility of leading one of the military’s flagship welfare institutions.
Col Taremwa said his immediate priority would be to work closely with management, staff and strategic partners to strengthen service delivery while expanding access to affordable goods for soldiers stationed across the country.
He also paid tribute to Brig Gen Bitumbika for laying what he described as a strong institutional foundation upon which future growth can be built.
“I inherit an institution that has registered tremendous progress, and I am committed to building on that legacy while ensuring the Defence Forces Shop continues to meet the welfare needs of our personnel,” Col Taremwa said.
Strategic Welfare Programme
The continued expansion of the Defence Forces Shop reflects the UPDF’s broader strategy of improving the welfare of its personnel beyond salaries and allowances.
Military officials say affordable access to construction materials, household goods and everyday necessities reduces financial pressure on soldiers and contributes to higher morale and productivity.
The planned rollout of additional outlets at division headquarters, brigades and major military installations is expected to bring subsidised products closer to thousands of serving personnel and retired veterans, eliminating the need for long-distance travel to access the facilities.
The handover ceremony attracted several senior UPDF officers, underscoring the strategic importance attached to the Defence Forces Shop as a key pillar of military welfare.
Among those in attendance were the Joint Staff Headquarters Brigade Group Commander, Major General Dr Lucky Joseph Kidega; the Chief of Staff Land Forces, Brigadier General Chris Bagonza; Director Inspectorate, Brigadier General R.K. Kagyenyi; Director of Records, Brigadier General D.R. Ndyabagye; and the Joint Staff for Formal Education, Sports and Culture, Brigadier General Richard Karemire.
With a new management team now in place and ambitious expansion plans underway, the Defence Forces Shop Uganda Limited appears set to deepen its role as one of the UPDF’s flagship welfare programmes, providing affordable goods while improving the quality of life for soldiers, veterans and their families across the country.
Author Profile
- Charles Gazza Kodili is a seasoned journalist with over 20 years of experience in the media industry. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communication. He’s currently the Chief Editor at the Investigator.
Charles can also be reached via; Tel: +256 774 108978
Email: [email protected]
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