The Chief of Staff – Land Force, Major General Jack Bakasumba has reiterated the importance of robust regional security mechanisms in coordinating and strengthening partnerships between neighbouring militaries.
Maj Gen Bakasumba made the remarks today during an interface with a delegation of Directing Staff and Students from the Zambia Defence Services Command and Staff College at the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs Headquarters, Mbuya where he represented the Chief of Defence Forces.
The delegation from Zambia is in Uganda on a study tour that is aimed at enhancing students’ understanding in the areas of geopolitics, social and economic dynamics of the region and how they affect countries acting individually or acting together towards social economic and security issues facing the region.
Maj Gen Bakasamba stated that integration remains a core objective of Uganda especially the East African Community noting that the current trade challenges between Uganda and Zambia can be addressed through bilateral agreements.
He thanked the Zambian Delegation for espousing a cordial relationship with Uganda and said that working together strengthens the existing good relationship between the two countries. On the bilateral Defence Cooperation agreement, he recognized it as an important legal instrument binding the two nations to cooperate and address common strategic security interests.
The Deputy Chief Political Commissar, Col Nelson Aheebwa who represented the Chief of Political Commissar presented a security brief on the “Geo-Political Aspects and the Imperative of Regional Integration.”
He observed that having seen Uganda from a history of turbulence, from colonial manipulation and distortions, working together with regional states like Zambia, shows that we can create strategic security to secure our countries and communities because it is only by integrating, that we will be able to have a strong voice, larger market, strong security frameworks, firmer security foundation and thus security.
In his remarks, the head of the Zambian delegation Col Pezu Lamba thanked the UPDF leadership for accepting to host them and commended the UPDF for the vital role it plays in combating terror threats in the region. He noted that such engagements strengthen the bilateral relationship between Uganda and the Zambia Defence Forces.
The meeting was attended by: the Chief of Personnel and Administration Brig Gen James Kinalwa, Deputy Chief of Logistics Brig Gen Godwin Karugaba, Defence Spokesperson Brig Gen Felix Kulayigye, and Senior UPDF Officers.
