UPDF Considers Training, Feeding Partnership with Egyptian Army

Uganda peoples Defence Forces is considering a partnership that will provide a long-lasting solution to the training and feeding needs of the Ugandan troops.  

The partnership with the Egyptian Armed Forces will extend to training in different military specialties, health, research, intelligence and information sharing, industrial production, agriculture, culture and sports among others.

The partnership on Military Corporation was discussed this afternoon during a meeting held today at Ministry of Defence Headquarters, Mbuya between a UPDF team led by the Commander Land Forces, Maj. Gen David Muhoozi and a six man team of Egyptian Generals led by Maj. Gen Gamal Hemdan.

“We can provide the UPDF expertise for agricultural production and if land, water and a power source is availed, together we can produce food to feed the UPDF troops,” Gen Gamal Hemdan said.

UPDF still procures almost 100 percent of its food requirements despite owning large chunks of land across the country. These include land in the areas of Masindi, Mubende, Kimaka, Kasijjagirwa in Masaka, Kakiri in Wakiso.  

The commitment by the Egyptian forces may therefore come as a boost to an outstanding vision of the army growing its own food which was outlined by the former Army commander Gen. Aronda Nyakairima about five years ago.

Maj. Gen Muhoozi observed that other than the military spheres, the two countries also corporate in fields like trade, education, research, and agriculture among others.

He added that the countries have many things in common, including the shared resource of the River Nile which plays a key role in the socio-economic development of the two countries.

He further congratulated the Egyptians for overcoming the recent instability, restoring calm in their Country and conducting successful elections.

The meeting also noted that terrorism remains a key threat that requires regional action. Equally of concern was the recent development of an alliance between Central Africa’s Seleka rebels and the Lord’s Resistance Army.

Meanwhile, Gen David Muhoozi revealed that the Somali National Army and the African Mission in Somalia forces have been able to recover over 500 guns following the launch of a disarmament exercise to rid the Somali capital Mogadishu of illegal arms.

“Over 500 guns have been recovered since the beginning of August including those forcefully disarmed from a renowned warlord, Ahmed Hassan Addow alias Ahmed Dai and his militias. A high profile and notorious Somali pirate, one Mohamed Abdi Gafaje was also arrested in Mogadishu during a cordon and search operation,” Gen Muhozi said.

 

Uganda with regional, international and other partners continues to actively participate in promoting regional peace and stability.