Mali Seeks Stronger UPDF Alliance As Delegation Meets CDF

What the report says

A delegation from Mali’s armed forces has asked Uganda to expand the number of training slots available to Malian troops, during a meeting with Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba. The request came from Brig Gen Alou Boi Diarra, described as the representative of the Chief of General Staff of the Mali Armed Forces (FAMa), according to Watchdog Uganda.

The report says Brig Gen Diarra thanked Gen. Kainerugaba for inviting the Mali delegation to the Military Operations Other Than War conference and praised Uganda’s hospitality and pan-African outlook. He also briefed the Ugandan side on the security situation in Mali and the wider Sahel region, while acknowledging earlier UPDF and government training support. He said some Ugandan-trained FAMa officers are now leading and training others.

Gen. Kainerugaba, for his part, said Uganda would continue supporting African militaries in the spirit of pan-Africanism. The article says he highlighted the closer ties among Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso, and suggested that stronger military cooperation and broader regional integration could help Africa’s development. He also invited FAMa and Malian government leaders to visit Uganda.

The two sides agreed that regular exchanges in visits, training, commerce and social interaction could strengthen ties between African peoples. The discussion reflects broader regional cooperation efforts in West Africa and Uganda’s continuing military engagement with other African states.