DETAILS: What CDF Muhoozi, Ethiopia’s Field Marshal Birhanu Discussed

By Alex Masereka Joel

On Tuesday afternoon, Uganda’s Chief of Defense Forces (CDF), General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, met with Field Marshal H.E Birhanu Jula, Chief of General Staff of the Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF), at the military headquarters in Mbuya. The meeting aimed to strengthen existing military relations between the two countries.

Field Marshal Birhanu Jula arrived in Uganda on Monday in a visit that has been billed as one that will go a long way in cementing relations between Addis Ababa and Kampala

On his arrival at Mbuya, Field Marshal Birhanu was welcomed with military honors where he inspected a guard of honor mounted by the Military Police.

He later found a waiting General Muhoozi who ushered him into his office where they held brief talks before joining a meeting hall with military chiefs from both countries.

During the talks, the two army bosses discussed various areas of cooperation, including military exchange training and intelligence sharing. The meeting was attended by senior military officials from both nations.

General Muhoozi Kainerugaba praised the strong relations between Kampala and Addis Ababa, emphasizing the importance of continued collaboration.

“Foremost, one of blood and one of a long shared history. Whenever I go to Ethiopia, I have problems because everybody speaks to me in Amharic or Oromo, thinking I’m from there. Of course, the Uganda People’s Defense Force and the regional security dynamics. In 1995 and 1996, we fought against Bashir’s Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and the Lord’s Resistance Army,” he said.

He also thanked him for honoring his invitation to visit Uganda.

On his part, Field Marshal Birhanu, hailed the existing relations and pledged his country’s commitment to strengthening them.

The Ethiopian delegation included the ambassador of Ethiopia to Uganda, H.E. Etsegenet Bezabih Yimenu, Mr. Robe Admassu, Head of Political Affairs at the Ethiopian Embassy in Kampala, and other embassy staff.

The discussions highlighted the commitment of both Uganda and Ethiopia to enhancing their military partnership and fostering regional security.

Gen Muhoozi chats with Ethiopia’s ambassador to Uganda H.E Etsegenet Yimenu Bezabih

After the meeting, Gen Muhoozi and Field Marshal Birhanu exchanged gifts as a gesture of good will. Muhoozi gave his Ethiopian counterpart a copy of President Yoweri Museveni’s Sowing the Mustard Seed book and coffee. Field Marshal Birhanu reciprocated by giving Gen Muhoozi a portrait of the CDF made from goatskin.

On the same day, Gen Muhoozi hosted Field Marshal Birhanu to a sumptuous dinner at the Ndere Centre in Kisasi, on the outskirts of the capital, Kampala.

Gen Muhoozi (R) shares a light moment with Field Marshal Birhanu and Ambassador Etsegenet during the dinner

Both Uganda and Ethiopia play pivotal roles in the security architecture of the Horn of Africa where they are part of the Africa Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS). By deepening military relations, the two countries are likely aiming to bolster regional stability. This collaboration could lead to more coordinated efforts in peacekeeping missions, counter-terrorism operations, and responses to regional conflicts.