By Spy Uganda
The Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) has held a groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of a modern funeral home at the Land Forces Headquarters in Bombo, marking a major step toward improving how the army honours its fallen personnel.
The facility, which will be the first of its kind in Uganda, is expected to provide dignified and professional funeral services for deceased soldiers and their families.
The ceremony was officiated by Major General Joseph Ssemwanga, the Deputy Commander of Land Forces, who represented the Commander of Land Forces.
In his remarks, Maj Gen Ssemwanga applauded the UPDF representatives in the Parliament of Uganda for securing funding for the project.
“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.
He explained that once completed, the funeral home will provide comprehensive services including body preparation, viewing sessions, prayer services, documentary displays about fallen soldiers, transportation, and organised final send-offs.
The Chief of Staff – Land Forces, Brigadier General Chris Bagonza, commended the UPDF Members of Parliament for lobbying for Uganda Shillings 2 billion to fund the project, noting that the facility will play an important role in preserving the dignity of fallen soldiers.
“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 revealed that the initiative originated from UPDF Members of Parliament who secured funding through the parliamentary caucus.
To ensure the facility meets international standards, a benchmarking team led by the Deputy Joint Staff Health Services visited Lee Funeral Home in Nairobi, Kenya to study best practices in funeral home design, management, and operations.
“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 funeral home will occupy one acre of land and will be constructed as a vertical structure, with completion expected within six months.
Once finished, the facility will include a reception area, consultation rooms, a chapel for memorial services, autopsy and body holding areas, administrative offices, and parking spaces for visitors and service providers.
The ceremony was attended by several senior UPDF officers including 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, along with directors and departmental staff from the Land Forces.
