Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the Chief of Defence Forces, has praised the excellent military cooperation between the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) and the Ethiopian National Defence Forces (ENDF), which he attributed to the strong relations between Uganda and the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, historically linked for centuries.

He noted that this cooperation has been reinforced by high-level visits and bilateral talks between military leaders from both countries. “The regions now known as Uganda and Ethiopia have been linked for over 2,000 years, with trade dating back to 100 AD with the Aksum Empire,” said General Kainerugaba. “Our relationship is one of blood and shared history,” he added.

Gen Kainerugaba, also Senior Presidential Advisor for Special Operations, made these remarks during a bilateral meeting with Field Marshal Birhanu Jula Gelelicha, Chief of General Staff of the ENDF, at the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs (MODVA) Headquarters in Mbuya.

He highlighted the history of cooperation and mutual support between the UPDF and ENDF, influenced by their national interests and regional security dynamics. “We fondly remember our joint operations with Ethiopian forces in 1995 and 1996 against the Sudan Armed Forces and the Lord’s Resistance Army,” the CDF remarked.

Both countries have contributed troops to African Union and United Nations Peacekeeping Missions, particularly in Somalia, through AMISOM and ATMIS. Gen Kainerugaba commended the military training exchange and extended an invitation to ENDF officers to participate in UPDF courses in Uganda.

Field Marshal Birhanu expressed his desire to strengthen cooperation and explore new avenues of partnership. “Together, we can build on our shared history and deepen our mutual understanding, working towards a brighter and more secure future for our nations and the region,” he said.

The meeting was attended by senior UPDF and ENDF officers, including the Commander UPDF Air Force, Lt Gen Charles Okidi, Chief of Joint Staff, Maj Gen Jack Bakasumba, and the Chief of Defence Intelligence and Security, Maj Gen James Birungi.

The Chief of General Staff of ENDF was accompanied by the Ambassador of Ethiopia to Uganda, H.E Etegenet Bezabih Yimenu, Generals and Senior Officers of the ENDF.