President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has called on African military leaders and defence strategists to prioritise deep ideological clarity, philosophical grounding, and sound strategic planning in addressing the continent’s evolving security architecture.
The President was speaking at Speke Resort Munyonyo during the inaugural Africa Defence Chiefs Conference on Military Operations Other Than War (MOOTW), hosted by Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba.
The conference discussed how African countries can strengthen their response to emerging and non-traditional security threats, including terrorism, organised crime, cyber warfare, public health emergencies, climate-related crises, and natural disasters.
The four-day conference brought together military chiefs and experts from more than 18 countries across all regions of Africa, as well as representatives from regional bodies such as the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the North African Regional Capability (NARC).
In his address, President Museveni emphasised that modern defence capabilities cannot rely solely on tactical execution or military hardware, but must be rooted in a clear comprehension of ideology, philosophy, and strategy.
The President explained that these three pillars are crucial in shaping the destinies of nations, warning that when they are misunderstood, countries can easily descend into chaos.
Additionally, President Museveni pointed out that militaries must actively engage in wealth creation and manufacturing while maintaining emphasis on scientific advancement.
Citing a historical example, he noted that the invention of gunpowder enabled the colonisation of Africa because the continent lacked equivalent technological advancement that could be used to defend itself. He therefore challenged military chiefs to ensure a proper diagnosis and understanding of these fundamentals to guarantee the future of Africa.
The President commended the participating military leaders and experts for their commitment to regional peace and stability, reiterating Uganda’s dedication to supporting collaborative defence initiatives across the continent.
Earlier, Gen. Kainerugaba urged militaries to adapt to modern security challenges through Military Operations Other Than War (MOOTW), or Military Support to Peace and Security (MSTS), a concept he proposed for Uganda.
The Ugandan CDF highlighted the military’s expanding role in disaster response, disease outbreaks (citing Uganda’s COVID-19 and Ebola responses), maritime security, and humanitarian aid. He emphasised that contemporary soldiers must be equipped both to fight wars and to save lives, restore order, and protect infrastructure.
However, he cautioned against operational challenges, including restrictive rules of engagement, “mission creep” (the gradual expansion of a mission beyond its original mandate), and “mission turbulence,” where peaceful scenarios rapidly escalate into combat.
To navigate these complexities, he stressed the need for strict adherence to international law, flexible command structures, and strong civil-military coordination.
Ultimately, Gen. Kainerugaba suggested harmonising African military doctrines, improving intelligence sharing, conducting joint training, and leveraging technology. He advocated for strengthening bilateral and multilateral security partnerships while safeguarding Africa’s strategic autonomy through regional cooperation and self-reliance.
Meanwhile, the Chief Coordinator of Operation Wealth Creation, Gen. Salim Saleh, urged African military leaders to view wealth creation as a pillar of peace.
Gen. Saleh, speaking virtually, anchored his presentation on the concept of “Musevenomics” while describing President Yoweri Museveni as an authority on operations other than war.
He argued that while the President is widely known for his military and political prowess, his economic ideas deserve greater attention.
“For some of us who are veterans in this struggle, it has taken us a long time to come to the conclusion that His Excellency Gen. Yoweri Museveni is a master of operations other than war,” he said.
The conference brought which ended on Thursday is viewed as a key step toward diagnosing non traditional threats and how best African militaries can work together to ensure the continent’s strategic future.
