The Special Force Command (SFC) is a specialized component of Uganda Peoples Defence Forces (UPDF) tasked with carrying out special missions in support of national military objectives.The SFC in conducting operations, coordinates closely with the Land Force, Air Force, Reserve Force and other security agencies such as Uganda Police. It is anchored on the values of loyalty, courage and integrity. There is ample evidence that SFC responsibilities are likely to expand as Uganda’s national security priorities shift in conformity with vision 2040. Understanding who we are and what we do is therefore more important than ever. Today, we are looking at threats extending into the space domain as an expanded role and we are developing capacity based on the good foundation established during the good leadership of General Muhoozi Kainerugaba as the first commander of SFC.
History of Special Force Command (SFC)
The SFC metamorphosed from the historical High Command Unit (HCU) established in May 1981 at Kyererezi Kapeeka in the present day Nakaseke district. The unit was charged with the responsibility of protecting the chairman of the High Command and conducting other special missions assigned to them during the protracted bush war. In 1986, the HCU became the Presidential Protection Unit (PPU) under Lt Col Akanga Byaruhanga (RIP). The unit expanded and became the Presidential Guard Brigade (PGB) in 2003. In 2010, the then PGB, was renamed Special Forces Group (SFG). In 2012, it was transformed into the contemporary Special Force Command (SFC) with General Muhoozi Kainerugaba being appointed as its first Commander. Since the establishment of the HCU, PPU and PGB, several leaders who preceded General Muhoozi Kainerugaba were charged with the responsibility of command, control, administration and the general welfare of the officers and militants of the unit. Resources such as finances, fuel, oil, lubricants and food were always allocated to promote the welfare and sustainment of the personnel so as to improve their morale and effectiveness. However, there was a lot of mismanagement of resources by the past commanders before General Muhoozi Kainerugaba took over the command of SFC and this led to the failure of establishing infrastructural projects like; accommodation for soldiers, construction of training schools, administration blocks and health facilities. The mismanaged resources included fuel, oil and lubricants for maintenance and servicing of military equipment, food intended for improving the welfare of troops, diversion of unit funds by individual selfish leaders who used to divert it for personal gains rather than banking it for developmental purposes.
In 2004, after the merger of MOI Battalion and 2 Tank Battalion, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba was appointed as the commanding officer of 2 Tank Battle group. Through his patriotic conviction, he pioneered the use of unit committees as one of the revolutionary methods of work for effective accountability and rational decision making.He introduced the use of committees such as; planning committee, research committee, procurement committee, maintenance committee, construction committee, receiving committee and supervisory committee for transparency purposes, which were not there before. He opened up unit bank accounts to avoid the temptation of leaders to misuse funds, introduced the centralized way of managing resources whereby he controlled all funds, used committees to plan, allocate and utilize the available funds effectively. During his term of office, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, promoted revolutionary methods of work in all the units of SFC such as open criticism, frugality, transparency, zero tolerance to corruption, accountability and use of meetings. This controlled corruption, embezzlement and misuse of resources, enabled SFC to create enough reserves for food, fuel and finances which later used to develop the various projects in SFC, extend assistance to civilians in terms of food, fuel, medication and finance. The reserves he created can sustain and maintain special operations for a very long period of time without any external assistance. General Muhoozi Kainerugaba made remarkable achievements during his tour of duty as the first Commander of SFC.
General Muhoozi Kainerugaba pioneered the idea of savings culture and introduced the use of bank accounts with three signatories in order to avoid mismanagement of finances by individuals. Withdrawing of finances from the unit account required the planning committee to sit, plan, budget and the signatories would be allowed to withdraw the funds from the bank to cater for the set priorities. In order to realize savings for the SFC, Gen Kainerugaba reduced individual operational allowances commanders used to get from Ugx 60,000 to Ugx5000, recce allowances from ugx 65000-35000, removed unnecessary expenditure by setting clear priorities and promoted the culture of operating with minimal resources. He reduced the above allowances with the purpose of constructing soldiers, accommodation, office infrastructure, setting up training schools and health facilities. Not only did he create savings, but also opened up fixed bank accounts where he left huge sums of money, which has enabled SFC to build more capacity to enhance infrastructural developments and welfare projects. It was through these savings that he used to construct SFC armories, officers’ mess like Uaminifu, unit halls like Kembogo of 2 TK BG and Umoja hall of 10 Marine Bn, improvement of training school facilities such as Kasenyi (indoor shooting and driving simulators), ACAS (airborne school for training paratroopers)in Nakasongola and Fort Samora Machel school for counter terrorism and Special forces qualification course in Kaweweta.He created SFC Civil engineers Construction Regiment which is co-located with Service Bn in Busambaga. The SFC civil engineers regiment has been able to construct all SFC housing projects at a low cost compared to private contractors, hence saving SFC from spending huge sums of money in construction.
Infrastructural projects that have been constructed by SFC Civil Engineers Regiment using the savings created by Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba:
- Kabuura Hall, constructed in 2014 in Nsamizi barracks
- Uaminifu Officers Mess, constructed in 2013
- Three bed-roomed model house for Officers accommodation in Entebbe barracks was constructed in 2016
- Mugisha Karampenge Hall in Nakasero, constructed in 2014, accommodates Police Presidential Guard personnel
- Kayanja Fred Hall, constructed in 2015 in Nakasero State Lodge, accommodates officers and militants of B Coy of 2 Infantry Battalion
- The prestigious Kembogo Hall in 2 TK, constructed in 2015
- Nine (09) blocks constructed at Camp Rufu Barracks at 206 Bde HQs in Ruhengyere housing 36 families, 2TK Admin block, Dormitory for 5AR at Lunyo and Dormitory for 2TK at Lunyo.
- Construction of Eight blocks at 51 AD Regt – Luttamaguzi south Barracks in Kigungu in 2015 housing 32 families, 2TK Admin block, Dormitory for 5AR at Lunyo, Dormitory for 2TK at Lunyo.
- 07 (Seven) Blocks housing 14 families fully renovated at Entebbe barracks-Nsamizi.
- Construction of five (05) blocks housing 20 families at ACAS – Nakasongola cantonment
- Officers Residences at Entebbe Garrison Headquarter, 2TK Admin block, Dormitory for 5AR at Lunyo, Dormitory for 2TK at Lunyo.
- New office building at Entebbe Barracks, 2TK Admin block, Dormitory for 5AR at Lunyo
Socio- Economic Transformation by General Muhoozi Kainerugaba
- Created huge amounts of fuel reserves worth 2 million liters, which were used to sustain SFC operations in times of scarcity and delay in supply. From these reserves, SFC facilitates Wannainchi (Young people) during mobilization activities.
- Created reserves of food items which SFC is still maintaining to sustain operations, support the families of soldiers and civilians.
- Established three Special Forces training schools such as Fort Samora Machel in Waza, Amilcar Cabral Airborne School in Nakasongola and camp Rufu in Ruhengyere in order to promote first class special forces training.
- Three SFC training schools were established to improve the proficiency, skills and effectiveness of our personnel. Fort Samora Machel SFC Training School in Waza was constructed by SFC Civil Engineers regiment in 2015 using SFC savings. Amilcar Cabral Airborne School in Nakasongola was constructed in 2016 by SFC Civil Engineers using SFC savings. The courses conducted in these schools include; SFC qualification course, Tier II, Tier I, Close quarter combat, airborne and maritime courses
The above schools have enhanced the capacity to conduct training without relying on foreign experts who are too expensive to maintain. Through own savings SFC has been able to conduct specialized training in various areas including the Basic Airborne course which is conducted in Nakasongola.
- Initiated the creation of a Commando unit, well trained and equipped with sophisticated weapons such as sniper rifles which became the game changer in the theater of operations in Mogadishu. Commando Refresher Training in Camp Rufu-Ruhengyere using internally generated funds in order to build the capacity of soldiers.
- Promoted the use of NRA revolutionary methods of work such as open criticism, meetings, zero tolerance to corruption, transparency, integrity and use of committees. This promoted accountability, streamlined leadership, command and enhanced morale of officers and militants.
- Fought against all subversive tendencies which are injurious to the cohesion of SFC. These include; sectarianism, corruption, misguided ambition, greed, formation of cliques, subterranean grumbling, rumor-mongering, cheap popularity, liberalism/laissez-faire.
In Conclusion, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba is a leading example of a Patriot. His zero tolerance to extravagance and corruption has been clearly shown to the world. His creativity, adaptability and comfort with ambiguity, resilience, empathy, analytical prowess, curiosity, authenticity, genuine and true. He always succeeds in any role assigned to him. As a leader, he embodies the best version that is highly effective, motivative and inspires those around him. His competence is more than enough as people trust his character. The SFC from its humble beginning is now a major component of UPDF.
It is of increasing strategic value of defense forces and continues to improve its tactical proficiency in relation to its vision. It is upon the great leadership and ideology of His Excellency the President of the Republic of Uganda and C-in-C of UPDF General Yoweri Kaguta Museveni that made a significant promotion of General Muhoozi Kainerugaba to the position of CDF which we believe will transformed the entire UPDF like he did with SFC by developing capacity and improve on the strategic roles of national and regional security.
“An officer who uses unlawful means to acquire wealth, undermines his own authority and becomes a bad example to soldiers under his command” – H.E Yoweri Kaguta Museveni (11 Aug 1989)
CREDIT: Major General David Mugisha
Commander Special Force Command ( SFC)
08 APRIL 2024
