Bands of the Uganda People's Defence Force (UPDF) are maintained in accordance with British traditions. All three services (the Land and Air Forces as well as the Special Forces Command) have their own military bands. It holds British Army traditions that date back to the Band of the King's African Rifles in the Uganda Protectorate.
The colonial era Band of the 4th Battalion, KAR was the regional military band for British Uganda. It was known for wearing traditional Scottish attire such as kilts on parade alongside the standard khaki drill fabric and tall fezzes as headgear. Based in Bombo, many members of the band took part in the Burma campaign during the Second World War. [1] [2] The Kabaka of Buganda also maintained military bands in his personal military forces, going off of the British model as well. [3]
Military bands under President Idi Amin grew under his leadership and with his approval. Amin particularly grew to appreciate the composition of praise songs by these bands. This gave him cause to create a military band in every major military barracks across the country. [4]
These bands include:
All of these were independent of the police and prisons bands. Sarah Kyolaba, the fifth and last wife of Amin, was a member of the Revolutionary Suicide Band as a dancer. Kyolaba earned the nickname "Suicide Sarah" by her bandmates, who all served in the Mechanised Regiment. [6]
The band is based in Bombo, just outside of the capital of Kampala. Consisting of 42 members, it is the chief band of the country. It performs at military parades, national ceremonies and during official state visits of foreign leaders. The band has often been controversial its choice of music. During the visit of Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta to Kampala, the band stirred controversy when it played Kanu Yajenga Nchi, a song praising the Kenya African National Union, which is associated with the authoritarian rule of Daniel Arap Moi. [7] [8] In March 2015, advisors from British Corps of Army Music took a 10-day tour of Uganda in which it trained troops of the UPDF Brass Band. [9] [10] The band has also trained musicians from neighboring African states such as Rwanda. In 2009, the band conducted training at the Rwanda Military Academy in Nyakinama. [11]
Today, military bands outside the mainstream include the UPDF's 4th Division Brass Band.
The Air Force Band is the official representative band of the Uganda People's Air Defence Forces. It is currently based at Katabi Barracks in Entebbe. The Uganda Air Force Jazz Band was an ensemble of the band and one of the most notable of the bands created under the Amin government. It participated in FESTAC 77 in the Nigerian city of Lagos among other regional visits. The album Uganda Souvenir was the only LP the band ever produced, having a total of 20 songs. Others that were released were single records. Notable members of the band included Bonny Kyambadde, Simon Kaate Nsubuga, and Fred Kanyike. [4]
The Special Forces Command Band the official service band of the country's Special Operations Command. On 18 June 2018, training began for over 40 soldiers of the SFC Directorate of Band to form a new musical unit. This was intended on making all three service branches self-reliant in terms of musical accompaniment. Much of the training was provided by its associated band from the Uganda People's Defence Air Forces. The soldiers were trained in music theory, orchestration and aural. On 5 July 2019 a graduation day in honor of the band was held at Sera Kasenyi Training School in the Wakiso District. Congratulatuons were made by the representative of the SFC Commander James Birungyi and the UPDF deputy spokesperson. [12] [13] [14] [15] It is one of the few bands in the world that are attached to a special forces unit.
The Uganda People's Defence Force (UPDF), previously known as the National Resistance Army, is the armed forces of Uganda. From 2007 to 2011, the International Institute for Strategic Studies estimated the UPDF had a total strength of 40,000–45,000, consisting of land forces and an air wing. Recruitment to the forces is done annually.
Field marshal was the highest rank in the military of Uganda, during the regime of Idi Amin.
The military history of Uganda begins with actions before the conquest of the country by the British Empire. After the British conquered the country, there were various actions, including in 1887, and independence was granted in 1962. After independence, Uganda was plagued with a series of conflicts, most rooted in the problems caused by colonialism. Like many African nations, Uganda endured a series of civil wars and coup d'états. Since the 2000s in particular, the Uganda People's Defence Force has been active in peacekeeping operations for the African Union and the United Nations.
The Uganda Senior Command and Staff College (USCSC) is a training facility for senior commanders in the Uganda People's Defense Force (UPDF), including the army, air force, and special forces.
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The Uganda Military Engineering College (UMEC), also University of Military Science and Technology (UMST), is a tertiary institution of higher learning, that instructs qualified military officers and technicians in various fields of engineering and science. The university is administered by the Uganda People's Defense Force (UPDF), under the auspices of the Uganda Ministry of Defence.
Major General Fredrick Mugisha, commonly referred to as Fred Mugisha, is a senior military officer in the Uganda People's Defence Force and assumed command over AMISOM as the fourth commander on 15 June 2011.
Wazalendo Savings and Credit Cooperative Society (WSACCO), also referred to as Wazalendo Sacco, is a savings and credit co-operative society in Uganda. It is an institutional Sacco composed of Uganda People's Defence Force (UPDF) personnel and their families, UPDF Reserve Forces, and staff of Uganda's Ministry of Defence. WSACCO is affiliated with the Uganda Co-operative Savings and Credit Union Limited and with the Uganda Co-operative Alliance.
The Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs (MODVA) is a government ministry responsible for the national defence and security of Uganda. In this capacity, its role is to preserve, defend and protect the people, property, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Uganda, contributing to regional stability and supporting international peace initiatives.
Bombo Military Hospital is the largest military hospital in Uganda.The hospital is known for its specialized doctors and equipment. It also serves civilians from the districts of Luweero, Wakiso, Kampala, and Mukono.
Nakasongola Military Hospital is a military hospital in Uganda. It is the only accredited hospital in Nakasongola District.
Ali Muhammed Kiiza is a retired Ugandan Major General, in the UPDF Air Force, who serves as a Senior Military Adviser to the President of Uganda. Prior to that, he served as the Chief Pilot to six Heads of State in the Government of Uganda, from 1973 until 2012.
During the Uganda–Tanzania War, the Battle of Bombo was fought in April 1979 at the town of Bombo, Uganda, between Tanzanian forces and Ugandan troops loyal to Idi Amin. After cutting the road between Kampala and Bombo, the Tanzanian 201st Brigade led by Imran Kombe was ordered to head north and seize Bombo. The town was mostly defended by retired Nubian officers of the Uganda Army. The Tanzanians attacked cautiously, and under heavy fire were able to proceed into the town and secure it.
James Birungi, is a Major General in the Uganda People's Defence Force Air Force (UPDAF). He serves as the Chief of Military Intelligence in the UPDF, effective January 2022.
The Rwanda Defence Force Military Band Regiment is the ceremonial band that serves both State and Military. Although it represents the defence forces, it falls under the command of the Chief of Defence Staff. Since 2009 the RDF Military Band is commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Gilbert Ndayisabye. The RDF Band is made up of Headquarter and four ensembles:
Uganda People's Defence Force Air Force, more commonly known as the Ugandan Air Force, is a branch of the Uganda People's Defence Force. Its headquarters are located at Entebbe, Uganda. The current air force commander is Charles Lutaaya, while Emmanuel Kwihangana serves as chief of air staff.
Brigadier General Robert Freeman Mugabe is a Ugandan military officer in the Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF). Effective 12 July 2022, he is the Chairman of the UPDF General Court Martial, the highest court of military justice in the country. Before that, he served as the adjutant general of Bombo Military Barracks, the headquarters of the UPDF Land Forces, located in Bombo, Uganda.
Bernard Rwehururu was a Ugandan military officer and author. He served in various Ugandan militaries from 1965 until 2013, including under the governments of Milton Obote, Idi Amin, Tito Okello, and Yoweri Museveni.
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