German ambassador roots for stronger defence ties with Uganda

The German Ambassador to Uganda Matthias Schauer has called on army chiefs in Uganda to strengthen their defence relationship with the European nation.

The ambassador made the call during his visit to the ministry of Defence and Veteran affairs/UPDF headquarters in Mbuya, Kampala.

“In a brief meeting, the Ambassador and his hosts discussed issues of mutual interest in defence partnership and called upon the UPDF leadership to resume from where the two countries stopped when several programs were disrupted by the COVID 19 Pandemic outbreak,” the UPDF communications office said in a statement.

The UPDF Joint Chief of Staff Lt Gen Joseph Musanyufu, who represented the CDF Gen David Muhoozi -- commended the German ambassador for the cordial defence cooperation, especially in training and defence diplomacy attained by the two countries.

The two sides also discussed UPDF AMISOM engagements in Somalia and the role European Union (where Germany is a member) has played to create a resemblance of peace.

Ambassador Sichauer called upon the UPDF to continue playing a vital role in Somalia as the vanguard of the mission.

Lt Gen Musanyufu reiterated Uganda's position on the drawdown of AMISOM troop-contributing countries slated for next year as an act that should not be determined by time but rather by existing conditions in Somalia.

This, he said, is in the interest of not overturning achievements and sacrifices already made to put Somalia back to its feet despite the donor fatigue.

The meeting was also attended by the Germany Defence Attaché' to Uganda Lt Col (GS) Stefan Hasler, a staff officer in the office of CDF Col Charles Kisembo, and the Deputy Defence Spokesperson Lt Col Deo Akiiki among others.