Uganda will next week host the inaugural conference on Military Operations Other Than War, bringing together Chiefs of Defence Forces from 14 African countries, peace support mission commanders and representatives from continental and regional security organizations.
The four-day conference, organized by the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs and the Uganda People’s Defence Forces, will be held at Speke Resort Munyonyo from October 5 to 8, 2026.
The conference will focus on emerging security challenges and the changing role of military forces beyond conventional warfare.
Key areas for discussion will include transnational threats, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence, unmanned aerial systems, peace support operations, gender mainstreaming, climate change, disaster management and natural resources management.
Participants will also examine military support to civil authorities, maritime and border security, space and environmental security, critical infrastructure protection, disease pandemics, external influence, as well as legal and ethical accountability.
Countries that have confirmed participation include Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mali, Rwanda, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Tanzania and Zimbabwe.
Regional and continental organizations expected at the conference include the African Union, East African Standby Force, East African Community, Intergovernmental Authority on Development, North African Regional Capability and the Economic Community of West African States Commission.
Commanders of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia, MONUSCO in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei and the United Nations Mission in South Sudan are also expected to participate.
Uganda says its approach to the conference will draw from its experience in peace support operations, counterterrorism, counterinsurgency, border security, disaster response and civil-military cooperation.
The country is advocating for an African, preventive and cooperative approach to Military Operations Other Than War, emphasizing that emerging security threats require coordinated action involving government and society beyond the use of military force.
Chief of Defence Forces and Senior Presidential Advisor for Special Operations, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, on Thursday held a final planning meeting with members of the strategic and technical committees at the Special Forces Command headquarters in Entebbe ahead of the conference.
The Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs says further confirmations from invited countries and organizations are expected.
