# Kenya and Uganda improve defence relations

- Link: https://www.military.africa/2023/03/kenya-and-uganda-improve-defence-relations/
- Published: 2023-03-29T11:03:56+01:00
- Author: Patrick Kenyette

Senior officers from the Kenyan and Ugandan militaries met in Nairobi this week 
to discuss ways to improve defence relations between the two countries. This meeting
was a crucial step towards furthering their collaboration, allowing the two nations
to work together in order to better protect their citizens and interests.

The two-day joint defence committee (JDC) meeting is a follow-up of a defence cooperation
agreement entered by the two African Great Lakes countries last year, where UPDF
and representatives from the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) agreed to cooperate in strengthening
further existing peace and stability in the two countries. This was at Skyz Hotel
Kampala during the closure of the joint defence committee meeting between UPDF and
KDF.

The two days (October 26-27 ) meeting, had participants discuss pertinent issues
that need attention to strengthen bilateral cooperation in defence and security 
between Kenya and their host Uganda.

The October 2022 meeting saw both sides pledge to strengthen their collective defence
capabilities by collaborating on joint military exercises and sharing intelligence.
In addition, the two nations agreed to cooperate in order to ensure that their borders
and military installations are secure from any potential threats.

While this recent meeting was attended by officers from Kenya Defence Forces (KDF)
and Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF). It was co-chaired by Brigadier Richard
Mwanzia, Chief Strategic Plans and Policy (SP&P) and his Ugandan counterpart Brigadier
General Joseph Balikudembe.

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Mwanzia stressed the importance of a robust regional security mechanism to coordinate
and strengthen the partnership between the neighbouring militaries.

Balikudembe, thanked the Kenyan delegation for espousing a cordial relationship 
with Uganda, adding working together strengthened an existing good relationship 
between the two countries. On the bilateral defence co-operation agreement he recognised
it as the legal instrument binding the nations to cooperate and address common strategic
security interests.

During the deliberations, consideration was given to alleviating food insecurity
in shared border areas. Climate change has rendered communities “perennially food
insecure and limited sources of livelihood” according to a KDF statement. The resource
scarcity forced some to migrate in search of pasture and water.

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The gathering deliberated on establishing social and economic programmes aimed at
integrating border communities. “The meeting underscored continued cooperation increases
understanding as to how both Uganda and Kenya may use military forces in crisis 
and peacetime to deliver stability and prosperity as well as shape a defence culture.

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Brigadier General Michael Nyarwa, Colonel David Lumumba from UPDF and their KDF 
counterparts Chief of Operations Brigadier Seif Rashid; Chief of Research, Doctrine,
Training and Evaluation (RD & TE) Brigadier Stephen Huria and others were also present.

Uganda has been strengthening its strategic relations with its allies over the past
few years. Last year, [Egypt and Uganda strengthened their defence and training agreement](https://www.military.africa/2021/03/egypt-and-uganda-strengthens-defense-and-training-agreement/).
Both parties pledged to build on joint training programs, enhancing cooperation 
in the defence and security fields as well as combating terrorism.

Egypt recently offered several training slots to Uganda’s military undergoing different
courses in the Arab Republic of Egypt.
The Ugandan Ministry of Defense spokesperson
lieutenant Colonel Del Akiiki was also in attendance.

Likewise, during the same period, [Uganda and Israel in September signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU)](https://www.military.africa/2022/10/uganda-and-israel-enter-agreement-on-defence/)
on defence amid growing criticism in the country over Israel’s hacking software.
The signing ceremony took place in the capital Kampala.

Uganda was represented by Rosette Byengoma, while Israel by Asaf Dvir. “On behalf
of the Israel Ministry of Defense (ISMOD), we would like to transfer our appreciation
to the government of Uganda, UPDF, for this process and also for the continued relationship
in the future,” Dvir said. “Israel has helped us to strengthen our different branches
of the military, more especially in the Air force and Air Defense,” Byengoma said.

Meanwhile, [Uganda has increased its defence spending ](https://www.military.africa/2022/04/uganda-boosts-defence-spending-as-new-regional-arms-race-takes-shape/)
to better cope with the current security realities in East Africa. The new funding
will help the country step up to its neighbour and regional rival Kenya, as widespread
conflict and terrorism threat in East Africa is influencing both countries’ spending,
and pushing them to an arms race.

According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), Uganda’s
military expenditure reached Sh123.1 billion ($1.066 billion) last year, an 8.3 
per cent increase from Sh113.7 billion ($984.7 million) in 2020.

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