The Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, officially opened the annual defence strategic retreat on Saturday at the Defence Intelligence and Security Headquarters in Mbuya.

Gen Kainerugaba chaired the first two days of the three-day strategic conference over the weekend, leading senior military and civilian leaders through performance reviews and coordination discussions.

The retreat is scheduled to conclude on Tuesday, when the CDF will present the consolidated strategic priorities to the Minister of Defence, who will formally close the conference.

The annual strategic retreat serves as a key mechanism for reforming the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs' (MODVA) strategic planning processes. It is intended to ensure alignment with emerging national security priorities ahead of the 2026/27 financial year.

The meeting has brought together the Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) top leadership and senior technocrats from the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs, including the Under-Secretary for Finance and Administration, Edith Butuuro, to strengthen coordination between the UPDF and the ministry.

According to the information released, the discussions will also help shape defence expenditure priorities for the 2026/27 financial year.