16 September 2026
By Our Reporter
The Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) and the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) have called for stronger defence intelligence cooperation to address emerging security threats and promote peace and stability across Africa.
The call was made during a two-day Defence Intelligence Bilateral Engagement held at the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs headquarters in Mbuya.
The engagement focused on Africa’s security situation, intelligence cooperation, and emerging security threats, bringing together senior UPDF intelligence officers and a delegation from the SANDF.
Speaking during the meeting, the Deputy Chief of Defence Forces, Lieutenant General Samuel Okiding, thanked the South African delegation for visiting Uganda and emphasised the importance of unity and cooperation among African countries in addressing shared security challenges.
“Our strength as a continent is to come together, the way we are doing now,” Lt Gen Okiding said.
Earlier, while representing the Chief of Defence Intelligence and Security, Brigadier General Michael Kibuye, the Director of Civil-Military Cooperation commended the SANDF delegation for its professionalism and highlighted the strong historical ties between Uganda and South Africa.
He noted that the two countries continue to cooperate in areas such as training, technology, and intelligence. He also stressed the importance of information sharing, strategic dialogue, and early warning mechanisms in responding to contemporary security threats.
“The true measure of this meeting will not be what we discussed here, but what we do with the understanding gained from these discussions,” he said.
Captain N.T. Mokoe of the SANDF expressed appreciation to the UPDF for hosting the engagement, describing the discussions as professional and fruitful.
The bilateral meeting underscored the commitment of Uganda and South Africa to strengthening defence intelligence cooperation, enhancing information sharing, and promoting joint efforts to address security challenges affecting the continent.
