Charlene Ruto, daughter of Kenyan President William Ruto, paid a courtesy visit to the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF), Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, at the Special Forces Command (SFC) headquarters in Entebbe on Wednesday.

The meeting follows Gen Kainerugaba’s recent public statement on his official X account, where he announced plans to visit President Ruto in Kenya soon, underscoring ongoing efforts to strengthen ties between the two East African neighbours.

Ms. Ruto was accompanied by a delegation that included Mr. George Nkya, Honorary Consul of Morocco; Mr. Festus Orina; Ms. Varsheeni Ragupathy; and Hon. Jane Frances Acilo.

During the engagement, Gen Kainerugaba extended a warm welcome to the visitors.

Ms. Ruto expressed appreciation for the hospitality and generous reception accorded to her and her team.

The visit highlights the deep and multifaceted relationship between Uganda and Kenya.

Beyond their shared border, the two nations are bound by extensive cultural, linguistic, and ancestral ties, with many communities speaking the same languages and sharing intertwined traditions and values.

Diplomatically and economically, the partnership remains robust.

Bilateral trade between Uganda and Kenya exceeded USD 1.5 billion in 2025, making it one of the most significant corridors in the East African Community.

Kenya also serves as Uganda’s primary gateway to global markets through the Port of Mombasa, handling the majority of Uganda’s imports and exports.

This strategic interdependence underscores the importance of maintaining strong, cordial relations at all levels—including between leaders and key institutions such as the military.

The engagement between Charlene Ruto and Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba is seen as a continuation of high-level people-to-people and institutional contacts aimed at reinforcing regional stability, economic cooperation, and mutual security interests within the East African Community.

No official agenda or specific outcomes of the meeting were disclosed at the time of publication.