The Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) hosted a delegation of 39 officers from Nigeria’s Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC) on a Pan-African study tour.

The visit aims to explore socio-economic, cultural, security, and political dynamics in selected African countries.

Representing the Chief of Defence Forces, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the Chief of Joint Staff, Lt Gen Jack Bakasumba, stressed the need for African nations to work together in tackling shared challenges. He also highlighted the strong military partnership between Uganda and Nigeria, pointing out their frequent exchange of officers for training at each other’s institutions.

Brig Gen Nnemeka Ogili, Director of Land Warfare at Nigeria’s Command and Staff College and head of the delegation, praised Uganda’s role in regional peacekeeping. He referred to the UPDF’s deployment to Somalia in 2007 as a pioneering contribution when other nations were hesitant to act.

“No African country at that point was willing to put a foot on the ground in Somalia. Many countries made pledges, but nobody deployed. Uganda did,” Brig Gen Ogili said. “Since then, Uganda has remained in Somalia. We know that AUSSOM’s backbone is Uganda.”

He also mentioned prominent UPDF officers who trained in Nigeria, including Maj Gen (Rtd) George Igumba. He noted that many Ugandan officers have trained alongside their Nigerian counterparts at the Cadet, Staff College, and National Defence College levels.

The event was attended by senior officers, including Brig Gen Abdul Rugumayo, Deputy Chief of Defence Intelligence and Security; Brig Gen Godfrey Karugaba, Joint Staff Logistics; Brig Gen Robert Mugabe, Joint Staff Finance; and Nigeria’s Deputy Defence Attaché to Uganda, DM Bozegha.