Uganda, Japan Explore Defence Ties Under Security Assistance Framework

What the report says

Uganda and Japan are discussing ways to broaden defence cooperation under Tokyo’s Official Security Assistance framework, according to Nile Post. The talks took place on October 13 at the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs headquarters in Mbuya, where Defence Minister Kiryowa Kiwanuka met Japan’s Ambassador to Uganda, Takuya Sasayama. Uganda is expecting the arrival of a Japanese military attaché, which officials said could help identify practical areas for future security collaboration.

The meeting focused on bilateral defence relations, regional peace and stabilisation efforts, and infrastructure development. Kiwanuka said Uganda looked forward to engaging the attaché to better understand how both sides could work together under the OSA arrangement. Sasayama said Japan’s involvement under the framework had initially involved Uganda’s Ministry of Internal Affairs, and that a defence attaché could deepen engagement with the wider security sector.

No new military aid package, equipment donation or signed defence agreement was announced. Japan’s OSA is a security-related support programme separate from its traditional development assistance, which is aimed more broadly at infrastructure and social services. The article notes that any future commitments remain to be announced.

The discussion also came against the backdrop of broader Uganda-Japan relations, including Japanese support for infrastructure projects such as traffic management systems and bridge works, as well as assistance for a veterans’ rehabilitation centre in Mubende. The two countries are also preparing to mark 65 years of diplomatic relations in 2027, a milestone that officials said could provide another opportunity to strengthen ties.