Uganda and Egypt have reaffirmed their strong bilateral relations following a high-level visit by an Egyptian military delegation led by Khalid Ismael Taha.
The delegation was hosted by the Chief of Joint Staff, Jack Sam Bakasumba, who delivered a comprehensive briefing on Uganda’s military history and its evolution since independence on October 9, 1962.
During the briefing, Lt Gen Bakasumba highlighted key milestones in the country’s post-independence journey, including the 1971 overthrow of Uganda’s first president, Milton Obote, by Idi Amin Dada. He also noted the subsequent transformation of the Uganda Army into the Uganda Liberation Army in 1979 following Amin’s removal from power.
The delegation was further taken through the events surrounding the disputed 1981 elections, which triggered a guerrilla war that led to the rise of Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. This period saw the formation of the National Resistance Army (NRA), later renamed the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Force (UPDF) in 1995.
Lt Gen Bakasumba also underscored Uganda’s commitment to Pan-Africanism, highlighting its role in regional peacekeeping missions, particularly in Somalia and the Democratic Republic of Congo. He pointed to the country’s robust military training programs, ranging from basic training to advanced courses at the National Defence College.
Speaking after the briefing, Maj Gen Taha expressed appreciation for Uganda’s hospitality and commended its dedication to strengthening ties across the continent. He noted that the visit was aimed at deepening bilateral relations, as well as enhancing economic cooperation, scientific exchange, and security collaboration between Uganda, Egypt, and other African nations.
The visit underscores the longstanding historical ties between Uganda and Egypt and reflects a shared commitment to promoting African unity, stability, and peace.
