The Chief of Defence Forces of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF), Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has held talks with his South African counterpart, Gen Rudzani Maphwanya, focusing on strengthening military relations between the two countries.
The meeting took place on the sidelines of the inaugural African Defence Chiefs Conference on Military Operations Other Than War at Speke Resort Munyonyo in Kampala.
The two military chiefs discussed areas of cooperation between the UPDF and the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), which have maintained longstanding relations, including through military training and exchange programmes.
Gen Maphwanya, who previously visited Uganda in November 2024, is among defence chiefs and experts attending the four-day conference, which runs from October 5 to 8.
The conference has brought together participants from more than 18 countries, African Union regional bodies and commanders of United Nations and African Union peace support missions.
Discussions are focusing on how African countries can strengthen their ability to respond to emerging and non-traditional security threats, including terrorism, organised crime, cyber warfare, public health emergencies, climate-related crises and natural disasters.
The engagement between the UPDF and SANDF chiefs comes as African defence leaders seek to deepen cooperation and develop joint approaches to the continent’s evolving security challenges.
