Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, and his United Arab Emirates counterpart, Lieutenant General Issa Saif Mohammed Al Mazrouei, have agreed to strengthen military cooperation between their nations, following high-level bilateral talks held at the Special Forces Command (SFC) headquarters in Entebbe this Friday morning.
The UAE Chief of Staff was received by Gen. Kainerugaba at Entebbe International Airport before being escorted to the SFC headquarters for a closed-door meeting attended by senior military commanders from both countries.
Ugandan top brass at the meeting included Lt Gen Kayanja Muhanga, Commander of Land Forces; Lt Gen Jack Bakasumba, Chief of Joint Staff; and Maj Gen David Mugisha, Commander of the SFC.
The UAE delegation also comprised high-ranking officers from the Gulf state’s armed forces.
In his remarks, Gen. Kainerugaba emphasized Uganda’s interest in expanding its strategic military relations with the UAE, describing the engagement as part of a broader vision for regional peace and stability.
“We are pleased with the deepening relationship between Uganda and the United Arab Emirates, especially in defense cooperation.
A forthcoming Memorandum of Understanding will be pivotal in formalizing and expanding our engagements,” Gen. Kainerugaba stated.
The two military chiefs reviewed ongoing areas of cooperation and explored avenues for enhanced collaboration, including joint training, intelligence exchange, logistics, and counterterrorism.
According to a statement from the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), the meeting included a presentation on existing security partnerships, with both leaders reaffirming a shared commitment to advancing peace and security in their respective regions.
Uganda–UAE Relations
Uganda and the United Arab Emirates have steadily expanded bilateral ties over the past decade, with cooperation spanning trade, investment, tourism, and increasingly, security.
The UAE is one of Uganda’s top export destinations in the Gulf region, receiving over $500 million in exports annually, primarily in gold, coffee, and agricultural products.
On the defense front, relations have grown through Uganda’s participation in UAE-led security forums and bilateral visits.
The two nations also share a common interest in promoting stability in the Horn of Africa and the Great Lakes region, where UAE has recently stepped up diplomatic and investment initiatives.
In April 2023, Uganda opened a Defense Attaché’s office in Abu Dhabi, signaling its intent to strengthen security cooperation. Friday’s visit by Gen. Al Mazrouei marks a significant step toward operationalizing strategic military frameworks between Kampala and Abu Dhabi.
