Uganda and South Africa have reaffirmed their commitment to deepening defence intelligence cooperation as part of efforts to promote peace, stability and prosperity across Africa.
The commitment was made during the opening of a bilateral defence intelligence exchange between Uganda and a South African delegation at the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs Headquarters in Mbuya, Kampala.
Deputy Chief of Defence Intelligence and Security in the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF), Brig Gen Oscar Munanura, described Uganda and South Africa as strategic partners with shared interests in maintaining peace and security on the continent.
He said defence cooperation between the two countries has been built over several years through their shared liberation history, formal agreements, as well as technology and military training exchanges.
Munanura noted that Uganda and South Africa occupy strategic positions in East and Southern Africa respectively, making cooperation between the two countries important in addressing security threats that could have wider continental implications.
“What affects one part of Africa can affect the other. What threatens regional stability can quickly become a continental concern,” he said.
Speaking for the South African delegation, Captain Mokoe commended the longstanding relations between the two countries and expressed interest in expanding cooperation across political, security, economic and social sectors.
“The political principals indicate the need for the two countries to work together towards enhancing political, security, economic and social cooperation,” Mokoe said.
He noted that Uganda and South Africa have a long history of military collaboration, particularly through training and exchange programmes implemented under established joint military cooperation frameworks.
The bilateral engagement brought together senior UPDF officers, including Brig Gen Humble Nyesiga, Director of Defence Intelligence-Defence Attaché, alongside members of the South African delegation.
The exchange is expected to further strengthen information sharing, professional cooperation and the two countries’ joint efforts towards addressing security challenges affecting the continent.
