Uganda army to induct local Chui new infantry fighting vehicles

According to Guy Martin in Defence Web, The Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) has commissioned the locally manufactured Chui (Leopard) infantry fighting vehicle (IFV), which is based on Twiga’s recently launched Nyati but incorporating elements required by the Land Forces of the UPDF. The Chui was commissioned by President Yoweri Museveni, Commander-in-Chief of the UPDF, during a function at State House in Entebbe on 18 October.

According to Land Forces commander, Lieutenant General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the new vehicle is manufactured in Uganda by the Armoured Vehicle Manufacturing and Assembly Facility in Maga Maga, near Jinja, which has also manufactured the Nyoka armoured personnel carrier and Nyoka weapons platform. As reported by Guy Martin, the Chui IFV requirement came from Impala Services and Logistics Limited, a Ugandan defence company, to which Twiga Services and Logistics proposed a variant of the Nyati armoured personnel carrier (APC), which was unveiled by Twiga in August 2021.

The Chui variant – rather an armed APC than a true IFV – is being built in Uganda under a technology transfer agreement to further contribute to the growth of the country’s defence industry. Variants of the Chui include a mortar carrier, a recoilless gun platform, and an armored ambulance.