The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) and Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) have today discussed vital threats geared toward their countries especially terrorism, the proliferation of small arms, light weapons, and cattle rustling.
Brig Gen Joseph Balikuddembe who commands UPDF First Division which is at the forefront of fighting cattle rustlers emphasized the need for the two countries to fight such security challenges together.
Over 500 Karimojong warriors also known as cattle rustlers have been killed in the Karamoja and Sebei areas since July last year when President Yoweri Museveni ordered the forceful disbarment exercise. UPDF alongside the police’s Anti-Stock Theft Unit -ASTU have also recovered more than 500 guns from the killed, injured, or arrested warriors.
Even though such a huge number of warriors has been killed, more guns have been accessed by the attackers and the blame has partly been put on the Turkanas of Kenya who for years have never been disarmed by the government.
Col Deo Akiiki, the deputy UPDF Spokesperson, said that the meeting between UPDF and KDF followed the execution of the Kenya-Uganda Defence Cooperation Agreement (DCA) reached on 06 April 2022 and the subsequent signing of the Implementing Agreement (IA).
Brig Gen Seif Salim Rashid who led the KDF delegation said: “it is important that the two countries enhance this cooperation while directing the same to the new challenges facing the region; good examples being countering asymmetric threats facing them, matters of cyber security, environmental and food security, the exploitation of maritime opportunities and capabilities under the blue economy concept as well as human and drug trafficking.”
DCA increases understanding as to how both Uganda and Kenya may use military forces both in crisis and at peacetime and provides insight into the shaping of defence culture. Other UPDF senior officers that attended the meeting include Marine Brigade Commander, Brig Gen Micheal Nyarwa, CDF assistant Brig Gen Irumba Omero Tingira, Brig Gen Fred Twinamatsiko the director of training, and Col David R Lumumba.
KDF delegation also had members such as Brig Gen Richard Wambua Mwanzia, Brig Gen Stephen Maina Huria, and Lt Col Lillian Ayuma Shigoli. Uganda recognized and appreciated the vibrant cooperation it has had with its counterpart over the years including the provision of military escorts to personnel and hardware while in transit by road and rail, as well as the continuous exchange visits of personnel including students, and directing staff in the countries’ military colleges.
