The Joint Chief of Staff, Maj Gen Leopold Kyanda has urged the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) troops to demonstrate Uganda’s firm belief in integration as a strategy for strategic security in the region.
The UPDF chief made the remarks while speaking to the Ugandan contingent that was travelling to Kenya for the East Africa Community Armed Forces Civil-Military Activities.
Gen. Kyanda flagged off the contingent on October 4 at the Defence Ministry headquarters in Mbuya, Kampala.
These activities will run from October 8-14 and they are a precursor to the Kenya Defence Forces day commonly known as “Madaraka” Day.
“CIMIC activities are a testimony of further strengthening the cause of the East African Community Unity, Common Defence Security, Peace and Development emphasizing that the East African people look up to the Armed Forces as frontline partners in the struggle for the prosperity of our region for a common good,” Gen Kyanda said, according to UPDF spokesperson Brig. Flavia Byekwaso.
The Chief of Chieftaincy of Civil-Military Co-operation and the contingent Commander of Uganda, Brig. Emmanuel Rwashande said that the purpose of Uganda’s participation is to show the East African people that the partner states Forces are pacesetters towards achieving integration and added that the CIMIC activities will cover areas of medical outreaches and minor engineering works.
This is the 3rd EAC CIMIC Defence Forces week in accordance with the EAC Defence sector calendar of activities.
The function was attended by army generals, senior and junior officers.