Female Soldiers Warned Against Early Pregnancy, Told To Pursue Military Courses

What the report says

Maj Gen William Bainomugisha, the Commandant of the Military Police Brigade, has urged female combatants in Uganda’s army to avoid early pregnancy and focus on military training as a path to career advancement. Watchdog Uganda reported that he delivered the message on September 10, 2026, while opening a two-day seminar for female combatants at the 10 MP Brigade Headquarters in Makindye.

According to the report, Bainomugisha told personnel that those who want to remain in the Military Police should be prepared to take the required courses and meet task credentials. He pointed to female generals in the Uganda People’s Defence Forces as examples of soldiers who progressed through sustained service and professional training. He also suggested that women should first complete about four years of service before having children, though the article presents this as his guidance rather than a formal policy.

The seminar is meant to review female performance and the duties women carry out, especially in VIP protection and prison handling. Watchdog Uganda said the gathering included officers and militants from different Military Police battalions and the brigade headquarters, though some participants could not attend because of other operations and courses in the Kampala metropolitan area.

The piece also quotes other officers encouraging discipline and sharing personal experience on how avoiding pregnancy early in service helped with training opportunities and advancement. The broader context is the UPDF’s emphasis on professionalism, training, and readiness for specialized military roles.