Uganda reaffirms commitment to strengthen Eastern Africa Standby Force

What the report says

Uganda has reiterated its backing for the Eastern Africa Standby Force (EASF) as senior defence and security officials from member states met in Kampala for the bloc’s 36th Ordinary Session. According to Nile Post, the three-day gathering is focused on deeper cooperation, improved preparedness and more sustainable funding for a regional force meant to help address security threats in Eastern Africa.

Uganda’s Minister of State for Defence and Veteran Affairs, Grace Akifeza Ngabirano, said regional security depends on confidence, partnership and joint planning rather than isolated action. She urged commanders to strengthen professional military dialogue, interoperability and anticipatory planning as threats become more complex. Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, also said the security environment is changing rapidly, with extremist threats and illicit networks becoming more difficult to counter, making agility and collective readiness increasingly important.

Muhoozi said Uganda would meet its financial obligations to the EASF and called on other member states to find practical, lasting solutions to funding pressures. He also pointed to a recent force verification exercise in Uganda as a sign of readiness across military, police and civilian elements. The EASF’s Director, Brig. Gen. Ronald Rwivanga, said the meeting would look at governance, sustainability and operational effectiveness, and urged a summit of heads of state and government to restore high-level political guidance. In broader context, the EASF is one of Africa’s regional standby arrangements for peace support and crisis response.