The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) is set to relocate its barracks from Bugema on the outskirts of Mbale town effective this month.
The relocation of the barracks, located about 3kms on the Tororo-Mbale highway, is expected to take about four months.
UPDF 3rd Division, spokesperson Capt. Deo Akiiki in a statement on Saturday said the decision to carry out the relocation was reached after strategic and operational consultations by the division’s policy making organ during a meeting on Saturday. The meeting was chaired by the division commander, Brig. Peter Elwelu, at Bugema Barracks.
The barracks was previously the UPDF 3rd Division headquarters before it was shifted to Moroto.
Akiiki explained that it has since acted as a rear base for logistical and other administrative purposes, including housing families of soldiers.
The barracks currently sits on 186 acres of land and houses a tax-free defence forces’ shop, an army primary school and several other buildings. It also has 10 acres of trees like mahogany and eucalyptus as well as crop gardens belonging the soldiers’ families.
According to the statement, there are 986 people, including soldiers and their families, on the land.
Akiiki also disclosed that the UPDF, through the defence ministry, has been paying sh1b for rent, water and electricity, hence the decision to relocate the facility to the army’s own land at Rubongi in Tororo and other places like Kata in Bulambuli district.
He refuted claims that the defence ministry had not honoured its rent obligations as alleged by some people in the Mbale district local government.
Akiiki said the army only withheld payment of rent in June 2012 after a controversy arose between the district and a clan in Bugema over the ownership of the land.
He added that the UPDF was focussing on developing its own land like it is doing in other parts of the country.
Akiiki said during the relocation, all procedures and security precautions would be followed for the safety of soldiers, their families and those who will occupy the place after the UPDF vacates.
Source The New Vision