BY NAOME NAMUSOKE/KMA UPDATES
The Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs has unveiled a new initiative to support injured soldiers and veterans through the NIPPON Project, valued at USD 475,000 (about UGX 1.6 billion). The project is designed to strengthen medical rehabilitation services at the Defence Forces Rehabilitation Centre and Vocational Training Institute in Mubende.
The Mubende Rehabilitation Centre currently accommodates more than 2,000 injured soldiers and veterans who have served the country. Despite its crucial role in recovery and reintegration, the facility has long struggled with limited equipment and resources to effectively meet the rehabilitation needs of its patients. In response to these challenges, the NIPPON Project has been introduced to enhance both the quality and scope of rehabilitation services.
The Defence Rehabilitation and Vocational Centre in Mubende has taken a significant step forward with the expansion of its facilities, now equipped with modern tools designed to enhance both skills training and health recovery.
The centre’s core mission is to rehabilitate disabled soldiers and prepare them either for reintegration into civilian life or for redeployment, through comprehensive vocational training and medical support.
According to Brig. Moses Kwikiriza, Commandant of the Centre, the facility offers a wide range of treatments, including physiotherapy, while handling cases such as paralysis, amputations, spinal cord injuries, mental health conditions, and sensory impairments like deafness and blindness. He has explained that the project will reinforce ongoing activities including physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and tailoring, helping injured soldiers acquire both medical care and practical skills for self-reliance.
During the official launch, Hon. Jacob Oboth Oboth, Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs, announced that government plans to merge the Nakasongola and Mubende Rehabilitation Centres into a one-stop facility. He has stressed that the NIPPON Project also fits within the government’s broader 10-fold growth strategy for socio-economic transformation.
The Minister highlighted that the Rehabilitation Centre has already supported numerous injured soldiers to rebuild their lives through treatment, counselling, and vocational training. He further emphasized that the equipment provided under the NIPPON Foundation Project will significantly enhance the quality of medical services and skills development offered at the facility, thereby making a greater impact on the welfare of veterans and their families.
In his remarks, the Minister urged all beneficiaries to fully utilize the resources provided to maximize their personal recovery and contribute positively to national development.
Also speaking at the launch, H.E. Sayayama Takuya, Japanese Ambassador to Uganda, and Mr. Takeju Ogata of the Nippon Foundation, have praised Uganda’s leadership for its dedication to supporting soldiers during challenging times. Takeju noted that this dedication inspired the foundation to extend its support by donating equipment to the centre, aimed at strengthening rehabilitation efforts and preparing beneficiaries for a productive future.
The launch of the NIPPON Project reflects the government’s continued commitment to empowering ex-service personnel and other vulnerable groups with both medical care and practical knowledge, fostering self-reliance, dignity, and national development.