King declares April 10 as 53rd Army Day
UEDF Public Affairs Officer Major Sandile Gwebu.
By Yamkelo Dlamini
His Majesty King Mswati III, the Commander-in-Chief of the Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force (UEDF), has officially declared April 10, 2026, as the date for this year’s Army Day.
The high-profile event, which marks the 53rd anniversary of the nation’s military branch, will be held at the UEDF Headquarters in Nokwane.
This year’s celebrations will be held under the theme: ‘The Safety of the Nation is Our Priority,’ symbolising the military’s renewed commitment to domestic stability and dominion protection.
In a statement confirming the royal mandate, UEDF Public Affairs Officer Major Sandile Gwebu revealed that the main event will be surfaced with a series of regional community campaigns which aims to strengthen the bond between the military and the public.
These outreach programs are scheduled to begin this week, starting in the Manzini Region at Luve on March 7.
The force will then move to Madlangempisi in the Hhohho Region on March 22, followed by a visit to Hlathikulu in the Shiselweni Region on March 28.
The final regional leg will take place at Mpaka in the Lubombo Region on April 3, just one week before the grand finale.
Gwebu said in as much as the Army Day is not a routine event and whatever that usually happens align with international military standards.
He further mentioned that whatever that they will be implementing as UEDF in this year’s army day need to align with certain guidelines for this year’s standards.
According to Gwebu, he advised those that are willing to know more about what will exactly be happening on Army Day to attend the regional campaigns where they will get to know more as he referred to those campaigns as a mini-army day.
He noted that Army Day basically showcases the readiness of Eswatini defence force in terms of recruits, equipment and their capabilities.
He summarised the day as a day of showing appreciation to the UEDF for their dedicated work in terms of ensuring security and protection of the country.
“The is no price you can put that can be exchanged with being a soldier,” said Gwebu.
The 53rd anniversary comes after a historic 52nd Army Day held last year on March 28, 2025. During that last year’s celebration, His Majesty had announced a major recruitment drive that eventually saw thousands of young Emaswati battling for a spot in the force to support in the national security.
Last year’s event was also notable for its focus on military self-sufficiency where His Majesty praised the UEDF for its agricultural initiatives and its role in providing emergency relief during the heavy rains that affected several communities across the kingdom.