Uganda is hosting the inaugural Conference on Military Operations Other Than War, bringing together defence and security leaders from across Africa and representatives of regional and international organisations to discuss emerging security challenges.
The four-day conference, organised by the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs and the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF), takes place from October 5 to 8, 2026, at Speke Resort Munyonyo in Kampala.
The conference will focus on a wide range of issues shaping modern military operations, including transnational threats, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence, unmanned aerial systems and peace support operations.
Participants will also discuss gender mainstreaming, climate change, disaster management, natural resource management and military support to civil authorities.
Other areas on the agenda include maritime and border security, space and environmental security, protection of critical infrastructure, disease pandemics, external influence, and legal and ethical accountability.
Countries expected to participate include Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, South Africa, Ethiopia, Egypt, Ghana, Somalia, South Sudan, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Mali, Djibouti and Comoros, among others.
Regional and continental organisations taking part include the African Union, East African Community, East African Standby Force, IGAD, North African Regional Capability and ECOWAS.
The conference will also bring together commanders of several peace support missions, including AUSSOM in Somalia, MONUSCO in the Democratic Republic of Congo and UNISFA in Abyei.
