The new Defence Forces Shop at Katabi Barracks in Entebbe will sell construction materials and household goods at reduced prices as the military expands efforts to improve soldiers’ welfare.
The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) has opened its 16th Defence Forces Shop branch at Katabi Barracks in Entebbe, offering soldiers access to household goods and construction materials at reduced prices as the army expands efforts to improve their welfare.
Deputy Chief of Defence Forces Lt Gen Sam Okiding, who commissioned the facility, said the shops were intended to ease soldiers’ cost of living by providing quality goods below prevailing market prices.
Okiding said improving soldiers’ welfare, including access to medical care, education and accommodation, remained important to strengthening the army’s operational effectiveness.
“When a soldier is fighting, he should not be disturbed,” Okiding said, arguing that a soldier’s ability to withstand pressure depended partly on having peace of mind.
He urged army officers responsible for managing the projects to strengthen supervision and accountability to ensure the facilities remained functional and served their intended purpose.
“If you don’t supervise, then don’t blame, because we are good at shifting blame,” he said.
The Katabi branch stocks construction materials and household products, including cement, roofing sheets, water tanks, steel bars, paint, soap, nails and other building supplies.
Defence Forces Shop Uganda Limited General Manager Col Deus Taremwa said the range of products was intended to meet soldiers’ needs regardless of rank.
Taremwa said the shop’s operations were demand-driven and depended on partnerships with suppliers to provide goods while maintaining value for money.
He said the organisation was working to build a financially sustainable business that serves soldiers with integrity and professionalism.
Air Force Commander Lt Gen Charles Okidi said the shops were an important part of efforts to support soldiers and their families, noting that the military’s responsibilities extended beyond fighting and protecting the country.
However, he cautioned officials managing the facilities against exploiting soldiers’ welfare for personal gain and urged them to conduct business transparently.
The launch was attended by representatives of suppliers, including Uganda Clays Limited, Roofings Uganda Limited, Steel and Tube Industries, Kinyara Sugar Limited, Simba Cement and Hima Cement.
The Defence Forces Shop network is part of the UPDF leadership’s broader efforts to improve personnel welfare. The Katabi facility brings the number of branches in the network to 16.