(Entebbe) – General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the Chief of Defense Forces (CDF) of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF), hosted General Rudzani Maphwanya, the Chief of the South African National Defense Force, at the Special Forces Command Headquarters in Entebbe. The meeting focused on enhancing military collaboration between the two nations, building on years of close cooperation.
The high profile gathering was attended by senior UPDF officers, including Lt Gen Kayanja Muhanga, Commander of Land Forces; Lt Gen Charles Okidi, Commander of the Air Force; Maj Gen Jack Bakasumba, Chief of Joint Staff; Maj Gen James Birungi, Chief of Defense Intelligence and Security; and Brig Gen Michael Nyarwa, Commander of the Marines. Similarly, the South African delegation included top ranking military leaders.
General Kainerugaba expressed gratitude to his counterpart for the visit, assuring him that Uganda remains a welcoming and supportive partner.
Discussions during the meeting touched on military affairs of shared interest, including training exchange programs and strategies for strengthening ties. These initiatives have been a cornerstone of the relationship between Uganda and South Africa, fostering expertise and mutual trust within their respective defense forces.
The cooperation extends back to General Kainerugaba’s personal experience in South Africa. In 2012, he attended the Executive National Security Program at South Africa’s National Defense College, further solidifying ties between the two countries’ defense institutions.
Since taking office as CDF, General Kainerugaba has held similar meetings with military leaders from other nations, including Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mozambique, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Qatar, and Mali.
