The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) has officially broken ground on the country’s first dedicated military funeral home, a landmark project aimed at providing dignified services for fallen soldiers and their families.

The groundbreaking ceremony took place on March 13, 2026 at the Land Forces Headquarters in Bombo, Luwero District. The facility will be the first of its kind in Uganda and only the second in East Africa.

Deputy Commander of Land Forces Maj Gen Joseph Ssemwanga officiated the event on behalf of the Commander of Land Forces.

He expressed gratitude to the 11th Parliament’s UPDF representatives for securing the necessary funding and appealed to the incoming 12th Parliament to sustain support: “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.”

Chief of Staff – Land Forces Brig Gen Chris Bagonza underscored the facility’s purpose in honoring deceased 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.”

The project originated from initiatives by UPDF MPs through their parliamentary caucus.

A benchmarking team, led by the Deputy Joint Staff Health Services, visited facilities such as Lee Funeral Home to adopt best practices in design, management, and operations.

Col Hon Dr Victoria Nekesa, speaking for the team, explained: “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.”

The one-acre vertical structure will include: Reception area, Consultation rooms, Chapel for prayers and eulogies, Autopsy and body-holding areas, Administrative offices, Parking facilities.

Additional features will encompass body preparation, viewing, transportation, final send-offs, and documentary displays about fallen soldiers to preserve military history.Construction is expected to be completed within six months.

Attendees included 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, and Col Deborah Nayebare (Administrator of the UPDF National Referral Hospital Mbuya).

The initiative reflects the UPDF’s commitment to supporting military families during bereavement, providing professional, respectful services, and ensuring fallen personnel receive appropriate honors.

It addresses long-standing needs for specialized funeral infrastructure within the armed forces.