Hon Brig Gen David Gonyi, Chief of Staff Air Force (COS-AF), on behalf of the Chief of Defence Forces and Senior Presidential Advisor in charge of Special Operations (CDF and SPA/SO) Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has today officiated at the closure of the 2nd Annual UPDF Senior Logistics Leaders Retreat 2026 at the College of Logistics and Engineering in Maga Maga, Mayuge District.
The function, held from 17 to 20 May under the theme “Enhancing Efficient Logistics Management and Maintenance Systems in the UPDF,” was conducted under the auspices of the Joint Staff Logistics.
Speaking on behalf of the CDF, Brig Gen Gonyi thanked participants and organisers for successfully conducting the retreat, noting that the theme was timely and strategic, and linked to the hectic pace of change in the war environment. He added that professional forces should follow an efficient logistics management system.
He said the retreat was a significant contribution towards building a professional, modern and accountable UPDF hinged on sacrifice, commitment and discipline.
He also noted that logistics was not the responsibility of one service within the UPDF but of the force in its entirety.
Quoting Barrow: “Amateurs talk about tactics but professionals study logistics,” he urged logisticians to understand the value of logistics in a military campaign.
He remarked: “No military operation can succeed without reliable logistics support.”
He reminded logisticians that President Museveni’s NRA liberation war succeeded because of bullets, food and medicine, saying the sustainability of these supplies had led to a successful war that liberated Uganda.
Brig Gonyi also said that military success within Uganda and beyond, including operations in the Central African Republic, DR Congo and Somalia, largely depended on having a timely procurement system, effective infrastructure and professionally managed logistics systems.
“Logisticians are custodians of operational sustainability,” he re-echoed, further stating that the success of any military force depended not on the strength of the force but on the strength of its logistics.
He noted that wars were lost due to failure to sustain logistics. As Napoleon Bonaparte said, “An army marches on its stomach. If you don’t feed the force, then it lacks the energy to move, because logistics is the backbone of any military capacity.”
The COS-AF cautioned logisticians to continuously improve the logistics management system and maintenance culture as a priority within the institution.
He also encouraged continuous training, operational readiness and welfare improvements to strengthen the capability of the UPDF.
Brig Gonyi, however, decried existing logistics malpractices and the abuse of logistical processes, emphasising that such negative acts not only sabotaged UPDF activities but also the Republic of Uganda, since it was taxpayers’ money.
He urged the newly graduated logisticians, both officers and civilians, to go out and be agents of change by serving with the highest standards of integrity, honesty and transparency, ensuring value for money, reporting corrupt behaviour, rejecting bribery, safeguarding logistics management systems and remaining patriotic. “Corruption in the UPDF is not only a crime but a threat to national security,” he stressed, promising that the heavy military hand would fall on anyone who engaged in corrupt tendencies.
“Any misuse of logistics is a betrayal to the force and country,” he noted, further urging logisticians to become defenders of accountability and transparency so that they could continue transforming Uganda.
Brig Gen Gonyi said the following areas needed collective attention to move forward: strengthen accountability and transparency systems; eliminate misuse, leakages and corruption; embrace the digitalisation of logistics; modernise and automate systems; and strengthen the maintenance culture.
He concluded by urging them to protect national interests above personal interests, saying, “The true test of this retreat will be measured by bridging the gaps where leakages have occurred, to realise effective and efficient logistics management systems.”
The Joint Staff Training and Doctrine, Brig Gen Wycliffe Keita, said both logistics and training were needed for a successful operation. “Logistics should remain at the centre of the UPDF and not on the periphery,” he noted, highlighting that logisticians were not peripheral but enablers of training.
Brig Gen Kagyenyi, the Deputy Inspector of the UPDF, said they inspected to ensure that plans were followed to ease the commander’s work and maintain standards.
The Joint Staff Logistics, Brig Gen Godwin Karugaba, commended the Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs/ UPDF for supporting the training and pledged that participants would improve efficiency, accountability, digitalize and modernise operational readiness.
He urged them to build logistics management systems that were achievable, accountable, transparent and honest.
The Under Secretary Logistics, Mr Francis Kahirita, emphasised the need for a food policy review and value for money, given budget constraints. “When we have constrained resources, we must think and get maximum value out of the available resources,” he noted, further urging them to pursue the interests of the institution and deal with dilemmas.
The function concluded with the award of certificates and was also attended by the Commandant COLE, Col Chris Kyanku; Director Planning and Policy, Col Achille; Representative of JS-Finance, Lt Col Kaggwa; Service Brigade Commanders; Service Directors of Logistics; UPDF senior and junior officers; and COLE staff.
