Senior military officers from the Tanzania National Defence College (NDC) arrived in Uganda on Monday to begin a high-level field exercise centered on regional security and strategic policy.
The delegation, representing NDC Tanzania Course Intake 14, met with top officials at the Chieftaincy of Defence Intelligence and Security in Mbuya. The visiting group includes officers from Zambia, South Africa, Namibia, Sierra Leone, and Zanzibar.
Lieutenant General Jack Agonza Bakasumba, the Chief Joint Staff, welcomed the group on behalf of the Chief of Defence Forces, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba. He described the Tanzania Peoples’ Defence Forces (TPDF) as a foundational partner in Uganda's military history.
“UPDF has built enough capacity to train their own right from the basics to protect the country,” Lt Gen Bakasumba stated.
The General noted that Uganda actively exports peace to Somalia, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. He attributed these missions to the political will of President Yoweri Museveni and regional requests for assistance. He emphasized that Pan-Africanism remains the primary shield against external aggression.
“We protect these regimes because when they collapse, we collapse with them,” Lt Gen Bakasumba added.
The tour allows participants to study how Uganda balances national security with socio-economic factors. The current course theme explores harnessing natural wealth through oil, agriculture, and ecotourism.
Commodore Baganchwera Transeas Rutambuka, the Head of Delegation, noted that the course prepares senior officers to solve complex African problems. He argued that modern security requires a multi-dimensional approach involving technology and the economy.
“A nation seeking to be secure must utilise all resources, both externally and internally,” Commodore Rutambuka said.
During the session, military intelligence officials identified terrorism, cybercrime, and the influx of refugees as persistent threats to regional stability. Both nations committed to deepening intelligence exchange and combating climate change.
The visit concludes with both forces reaffirming that regional integration is essential for long-term prosperity.
