The skies above Kampala came alive on Tuesday afternoon as Uganda staged a large military parade during President Yoweri Museveni’s swearing-in ceremony for his seventh term in office.
The event took place at Kololo Independence Grounds, attracting more than 1,000 spectators who gathered to watch an impressive aerial showcase by the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF). Among the aircraft displayed were Sukhoi Su-30MK2 fighter jets, part of Uganda’s fleet of Russian-made military aircraft.
The air display also featured MiG-21 and MiG-23 fighter jets alongside MI-17, MI-24, and MI-28 helicopters commonly used in UPDF operations both within Uganda and in regional missions abroad.
On the ground, military units showcased a range of armored vehicles and heavy weaponry, including Mamba/Nyoka and Hizir armored personnel carriers, plus T-55 and T-90 tanks. Additional equipment on display included BM-21 Grad multiple rocket launchers, 105mm and 122mm artillery guns, and several anti-aircraft defense systems designed to counter aerial threats and support long-range combat operations.
The parade further highlighted infantry fighting vehicles, including some produced by the National Enterprises Corporation (NEC), the commercial arm of the UPDF.
One of the biggest attractions of the ceremony was a demonstration by paratroopers from the Special Forces Command. The troops performed advanced airborne exercises simulating operations in difficult conditions such as nighttime missions, high-altitude jumps, and deployments behind enemy lines.
Overall, the exhibition at Kololo reflected Uganda’s military preparedness, operational capability, and regional influence.
According to the 2026 Global Firepower Index, the UPDF is ranked the 107th strongest military force globally and 23rd in Africa, largely due to its experienced personnel and extensive military equipment.
Uganda has also played a major role in regional peacekeeping efforts across the Great Lakes Region, participating in operations in countries such as South Sudan, Somalia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
In Somalia, Uganda became the first nation to deploy troops under the African Union peacekeeping mission in 2007. UPDF forces have been recognized for helping push Al-Shabaab out of Mogadishu, where the militant group had maintained strong control for years.
Ugandan troops continue to protect key institutions in Mogadishu, including the Somali Parliament, State House, and other strategic installations. The UPDF also leads the United Nations Guard Unit responsible for safeguarding UN staff, facilities, and assets in Somalia.
