RDF’s Rwivanga Takes Over as Director Eastern Africa Standby Force

Former Rwanda Defence Forces Spokesperson Brigadier General Ronald Rwivanga has assumed office as the Director of the Eastern Africa Standby Force (EASF). The handover ceremony was held today at the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs Headquarters in Mbuya, Kampala.

He takes over from Brigadier General (Rtd) Paul Kahuria Njema for a three-year tenure.

The ceremony was presided over by Uganda’s Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs, Jacob Marksons Oboth, who also serves as Chairperson of the Council of Ministers of the EASF. In his remarks, Oboth commended Brig Gen Njema for strengthening the institution through improved operational readiness, enhanced governance structures, and prudent financial management.

“Your service has been clearly demonstrated through commitment to the very foundation of EASF’s work, the four pillars of our strategic plan. You ensured these pillars were not only understood but consistently upheld in day-to-day planning and execution,” said Oboth.

He welcomed Brig Gen Rwivanga and challenged him to build on the organisation’s achievements. “You are stepping into big shoes. You inherit not only the achievements of the past but also high expectations and a community committed to working with you in unity, professionalism, and purpose,” he said.

Oboth urged Rwivanga to leverage Rwanda’s experience in innovation, discipline, and institutional rebuilding to strengthen EASF operations. He noted that the withdrawal of some external partners meant the force would need stronger internal resource mobilisation and greater self-reliance among member states.

“Your personality and institutional provision will be required to mobilise resources, especially from member states, in view of the current situation in the world, which calls for nations and organisations to be self-reliant,” Oboth said. He also called on the new director to improve the visibility and credibility of the organisation.

In his farewell remarks, Brig Gen Njema described his tenure as a period of collective resilience and regional cooperation aimed at advancing peace and security in Eastern Africa. He highlighted enhanced institutional capacity, operational readiness, stronger partnerships, and increased financial stability. Njema urged member states to increase financial contributions to sustain the standby mechanism.

Incoming Director Brig Gen Rwivanga pledged to serve with transparency, professionalism, and accountability. He noted that Africa’s security environment is evolving rapidly, with threats including terrorism, violent extremism, cybercrime, unconstitutional changes of government, climate-induced disasters, and humanitarian crises. He called for sustained political, operational, and financial support from member states.

Rwivanga emphasised humanitarian assistance and disaster response operations, saying EASF must remain relevant beyond conventional peace missions. “We have committed ourselves as EASF that whenever there is a humanitarian issue or disaster, whether floods, droughts, earthquakes, diseases like Ebola, or displaced people, the force stands ready to support member states whenever such disasters strike,” he said. Strengthening humanitarian response, he added, would boost public confidence in regional cooperation.

EASF is one of the African Union’s regional standby mechanisms established to support peacekeeping operations, conflict prevention, humanitarian assistance, and regional security across Eastern Africa.

The ceremony was attended by the Deputy Chief of Defence Forces (UPDF) and Chairperson of the Chief of Defence Forces of EASF, Lt Gen Sam Okiding; Chief of Joint Staff, Lt Gen Jack Bakasumba; Under-Secretary – Air Force, Mr James Mutabazi; Chief of Staff – Uganda Rapid Deployment Capability, Brig Gen Flavia Byekwaso; EASF Chief of Staff, Brig Gen Stephen Kashure; senior officers; and members of the EASF Secretariat.