Lt. Gen. James Mugira, the Managing Director of the National Enterprise Corporation (NEC), warmly welcomed a delegation from the Zimbabwe National Defence University at NEC Headquarters -Kampala. The delegation was led by Brig. Gen. Simon Godfrey Mutsadyanga and comprised students and staff from Zimbabwe, South Africa, Kenya, Malawi, and Botswana.
Gen. Mugira highlighted the historical solidarity and ongoing cooperation between Uganda and Zimbabwe. Mugira said that both nations are products of armed struggles and have been working closely, especially on high-level study visits, and training programs to deepen defence partnerships.
He informed the delegation that NEC is the commercial arm of the Ministry of Defence and Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) and has played a vital role in Uganda’s socio-economic transformation.
Mugira’s presentation shed light on the significance of defence industries in shaping geopolitical dynamics, economic development, and technological innovation. He emphasized the importance of self-reliance in defence capabilities, citing the need for countries to minimize reliance on foreign suppliers and avoid blackmail from superior powers.
He further informed the delegation that NEC, established in 1989, has contributed to Uganda’s development through infrastructure development, job creation, revenue generation, and import substitution. Its involvement in various sectors had fostered technological advancements and skills development.
Brig. Gen. Mutsadyanga expressed gratitude to Gen. Mugira for hosting the delegation. He highlighted the excellent relationship between Uganda and Zimbabwe, characterized by Afrocentric values and a shared vision of making their countries great. He said that the delegation’s main focus is on National Defence and Security. That they chose Uganda for its strong ties and lessons to be learned.
At end of the meeting, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening defence cooperation and fostering a bond of brotherhood between Uganda and Zimbabwe. The visit served as a testament to the enduring relationship between the two nations, built on shared experiences and a common vision for a prosperous future.