The Chief of Defence Forces of Uganda (CDF) of Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF), who also doubles as the Senior Presidential Advisor for Special Operations, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has held a bilateral meeting with the Ethiopian delegation led by Ethiopian National Defence Forces (ENDF) Field Marshal Birhanu Jula Gelelicha.
He praised the excellent military partnership between the UPDF and ENDF and highlighted the deep historical links between the two countries, which he said date back over 2000 years.
Gen. Kainerugaba, while speaking during a bilateral meeting at the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs (MODVA) headquarters in Mbuya on July 2, 2024, said that relationships are one of blood and one of a long-shared history.
“The relationship is one of blood and one of a long-shared history that dates back over 2000 years,” said Gen. Kainerugaba.
Gen. Kainerugaba highlighted the deep historical links between Uganda and Ethiopia, highlighting the history of joint operations between the UPDF and ENDF, including their collaboration against the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) in the 1990s.
“We remember fondly our joint operations with Ethiopian brothers in 1995 and 1996 against Bashir’s Sudan Armed Forces and the Lord’s Resistance. These were operations called Mwisho 1 and Mwisho 2, which were supposed to finish the LRA in South Sudan and support the SPLA,” Gen. Kainerugaba recalled.
The ENDF Field Marshal Birhanu, accompanied by the Ambassador of Ethiopia to Uganda, H.E. Etegenet Bezabih Yimenu, expressed their desire to further strengthen cooperation and explore new avenues of partnership between the two countries.
“Together, we can continue to build our shared history, deepen our mutual understanding, and work towards a brighter and more secure future for our nations and the region as a whole,” Field Marshal Birhanu said.
In attendance were senior military officers from both nations: the Commander of the UPDF Air Force, Lt. Gen. Charles Okidi; the Chief of Joint Staff, Maj. Gen. Jack Bakasumba; and the Chief of Defence Intelligence and Security, Maj. Gen. James Birungi. They all reflected on their commitment to regional security and a shared history and cultural bond.