Uganda has pledged its military air rescue capabilities to the Eastern Africa Standby Force (EASF) to strengthen the region’s response to security threats and natural disasters.
Uganda's Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs, Hon. Kiryowa Kiwanuka, confirmed the commitment during a meeting with an EASF delegation led by Director Brigadier General Ronald Rwivanga at the Ministry headquarters in Mbuya on August 11, 2026.
The agreement followed the 36th Ordinary Policy Working Group meeting in Kampala and a comprehensive verification exercise that evaluated Uganda’s operational readiness, equipment, and troop interoperability across military and police facilities in Singo and Jinja.
Addressing the delegation, Hon. Kiryowa Kiwanuka emphasized the urgency of self-reliance in regional security and crisis response.
"With the recent shift in external funding to African peacekeeping missions, we have reached a point where we must grow up and sustain these capabilities ourselves," Hon. Kiwanuka stated.
The Minister added that Uganda’s security remains directly linked to the stability of neighboring nations.
"Everything available to the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces is available to the people of Eastern Africa in as far as it pertains to maintaining peace and security," Hon. Kiwanuka said.
Brigadier General Ronald Rwivanga confirmed that the EASF inspection team validated Uganda's multidimensional force capabilities, citing the troops' extensive operational experience in Somalia.
He noted that Uganda's air rescue commitment fills a vital operational gap in the region's expanding humanitarian and disaster response framework.
"With Uganda’s tested rescue capability now on board, we can significantly mitigate the impact of disasters across our region," Brig Gen Rwivanga said.
The State Minister for Defence and Veteran Affairs (Defence), Hon. Grace Akifeza Ngabirano, added that regional solidarity remains essential for protecting citizens and securing lasting peace across Africa.
