UPDF Breaks Ground for First-Ever Military Funeral Home in Uganda

The Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) today held a groundbreaking ceremony for a UPDF funeral home at Land Forces Headquarters, Bombo. The facility is set to be the first of its kind in Uganda.

The ceremony was officiated by the Deputy Commander of Land Forces Major General Joseph Ssemwanga, who represented the Commander of Land Forces.

In his remarks, Maj Gen Ssemwanga acknowledged the efforts of the UPDF Representatives in the 11th Parliament for securing funding to support the construction of the facility.
“We extend our appreciation to the 11th UPDF Members of Parliament for funding this project. We pray that the 12th Parliament will continue where the 11th left off,” Maj Gen Ssemwanga said.

Maj Gen Ssemwanga explained that the funeral home will offer a full range of services, including body preparation, viewing, prayers, documentary displays about fallen comrades, transportation, and final send-offs.

The Chief of Staff – Land Forces Brigadier General Chris Bagonza, commended the UPDF Members of Parliament for lobbying Uganda Shillings 2 billion to construct the funeral home emphasising its role in honouring fallen comrades.

“The idea of having a UPDF funeral home is to mourn our departed comrades in a dignified manner, eulogise them, and to document our history,” Brig Gen Bagonza said.

Speaking on behalf of the benchmarking team, Colonel Hon Dr Victoria Nekesa noted that the initiative originated with the UPDF Members of Parliament, which secured funding through the parliamentary caucus. To ensure professional standards, a benchmarking team led by the Deputy Joint Staff Health Services studied Lee Funeral Home in Nairobi, Kenya.

“The visit aimed to adopt best practices in the design, management, and operation of a modern funeral home, ensuring the UPDF facility is well-managed and efficient,” Col Nekesa said.

The facility, occupying one acre of land, will be a vertical structure with a projected six-month construction period. Upon completion, it will include a reception area, consultation rooms, a chapel for memorial services, autopsy and body holding areas, administrative offices, and parking for visitors and service providers.

The ceremony was attended by Brig Gen Dr Patrick Ogwok Ocen, Deputy Joint Staff Health Services; Brig Gen Edward Mutawe, Director of Human Resource Management Land Forces; Lt Col Hon Dr Jennifer Alanyo; Col Deborah Nayebare, Administrator of UPDF National Referral Hospital Mbuya; as well as directors and departmental staff at Land Forces.