Uganda has taken meaningful steps to modernize its aerial surveillance capabilities, acquiring a combination of fixed-wing manned aircraft and UAVs designed for border security, counter‑insurgency, and intelligence support.
🛩️ Procuring Diamond DA62 Aircraft for ISR Missions
In June 2025, the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) announced the purchase of four Diamond DA62 aircraft, valued at approximately $6 million, intended to bolster Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR). These twin-engine planes are optimized for rugged terrain and adverse weather—perfect for Uganda’s border regions, especially along the DRC frontier where the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) operate. The DA62s are expected to provide real-time ISR data to support joint operations and border control missions. Delivery was pending as of mid‑2025.
🤖 Expanding UA V Capabilities: Hermes 900 and Aerosonde Systems
Uganda has also expanded its drone-based ISR functionality. In early 2022, the UPDF began operating Elbit Hermes 900 medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) drones—acquired under earlier agreements dating back to 2019. These Hermes 900 platforms offer endurance of up to 30–36 hours, payload capacity near 350 kg, and diverse ISR sensors including synthetic aperture radar, electro-optical/infrared systems, electronic and communications intelligence suites.
Additionally, under a U.S. Defense Department contract awarded in 2020, Uganda procured Aerosonde Mk 4.7 UAV systems including spares and training. These drones offer up to 14 hours of endurance, SIGINT/EW payloads, and reconnaissance video—well-suited for expeditionary operations and border surveillance. Deliveries were expected by September 2022.
🔍 Turkish STM Togan Surveillance Drones
Sources from mid‑2023 confirm that Uganda acquired STM Togan surveillance drones from the Turkish defence company STM. These UAVs support border monitoring and tracking of illicit cross-border movement, especially in remote or porous points. This represents another dimension of Uganda’s diverse UAV strategy.
🏭 Building Domestic UAV Maintenance Infrastructure
Uganda has also strengthened its sovereign ISR capacity through industrial cooperation. In early 2024, it inaugurated a UAV workshop and research centre at Nakasongola Air Base, developed in partnership with China’s Norinco. This facility handles UAV assembly, testing, training, and maintenance—supporting life-cycle services for multiple drone platforms. It reflects Uganda’s move toward self-reliance in unmanned systems.
🚁 Complementary Air Transport Assets: Cessna Caravans
To support AU missions and border patrol, the U.S. donated two Cessna 208B Caravans to the UPDF in March 2024. Although not specialized ISR platforms, these fixed-wing aircraft were tasked with transport, medevac, and surveillance support duties, including over Somalia. They augment Uganda’s ability to move personnel and equipment across theaters.
🎯 Strategic ISR Utility and Mission Integration
Collectively, Uganda’s multi-platform ISR strategy now includes:
- The DA62 for real-time aerial observation across the ADF‑prone western border.
- Hermes 900 drones providing long-endurance day/night ISR with varied payloads.
- Aerosonde Mk 4.7 systems for tactical surveillance and signals intelligence collection.
- STM Togan drones enhancing border monitoring in remote or contested areas.
- Cessna Caravans supporting logistics, medevac, and light reconnaissance duties.
This blend allows tactical flexibility—with manned and unmanned coverage—and supports anti-insurgency operations, border integrity, and regional peacekeeping contributions.
⚙️ Overcoming Historical Limitations
Uganda’s strategic aviation evolution addresses earlier limitations around training, maintenance, and fleet aging. While a prior crash of a DA42 highlighted operational risks, recent investments in training and infrastructure (notably at Nakasongola) aim to prevent similar issues and enhance reliability.
The new workshop also positions Uganda to maintain and deploy UAV systems affordably—eliminating dependency on external providers for servicing and repairs.
⛑️ Border Monitoring and Counter‑Insurgency Impact
These ISR assets are explicitly geared toward stemming insurgent threats like the ADF in eastern DRC. With improved aerial monitoring, UPDF command officials expect better tracking of militant movements, supply links, and operational planning support for ground forces.
Moreover, light transport and ISR aircraft provide flexible mobility across challenging terrain, enabling rapid deployment and information relay in remote areas.
🧭 Regional ISR Strategy and Industry Trends
Uganda’s moves reflect a broader trend across African militaries toward acquiring cost-effective ISR platforms. Other states like Nigeria, Ghana, Rwanda also operate DA-series aircraft and Hermes UAVs. Uganda’s diversification—including Turkish and U.S. sourced UAVs—demonstrates a strategic shift toward redundancy and resilience.
✅ Conclusion
Since 2020, Uganda has significantly strengthened its border surveillance and tactical reconnaissance capabilities through a combination of new aircraft and drones. The procurement of DA62 ISR planes, multiple UAV systems (Hermes 900, Aerosonde, STM Togan), and the establishment of a domestic maintenance hub mark a clear upward shift in Uganda’s military aviation strategy. Together these developments empower more effective border security, insurgent monitoring, and flexible aerial support across regional operations.
