Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the Chief of Defense Forces, has praised the excellent military cooperation between the Uganda Peoples’ Defense Forces (UPDF) and the Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF), which he attributed to the strong relations between Uganda and the Ethiopia, historically linked for centuries.
He noted that this cooperation has been reinforced by high-level visits and bilateral talks between military leaders from both countries. “The regions now known as Uganda and Ethiopia have been linked for over 2,000 years, with trade dating back to 100AD with the Aksum Empire,” said Gen. Kainerugaba. “Our relationship is one of blood and shared history,” he added.
Gen. Kainerugaba, also Senior Presidential Advisor for Special Operations, made these remarks during a bilateral meeting with Field Marshal Birhanu Jula Gelelicha, Chief of General Staff of the ENDF, at the Ministry of Defense and Veteran Affairs (MODVA) Headquarters in Mbuya, Uganda.
Both countries have contributed troops to African Union and United Nations Peacekeeping Missions, particularly in Somalia, through AMISOM and ATMIS. Gen. Kainerugaba commended the military training exchange and extended an invitation to ENDF officers to participate in UPDF courses in Uganda.
Field Marshal Birhanu expressed his desire to strengthen cooperation and explore new avenues of partnership. “Together, we can build on our shared history and deepen our mutual understanding, working towards a brighter and more secure future for our nations and the region,” he said.
The meeting was attended by senior UPDF and ENDF officers, including the Commander UPDF Air Force, Lt. Gen. Charles Okidi, Chief of Joint Staff, Maj. Gen. Jack Bakasumba, and the Chief of Defense Intelligence and Security, Maj. Gen. James Birungi.
The Chief of Staff of ENDF was accompanied by Ambassador of Ethiopia to Uganda, Etegenet Bezabih Yimenu, Generals and Senior Officers of the ENDF.
SOURCE:UPDF