European Union Heads of Mission in Uganda have lauded the essential contributions of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) to regional peace and stability.

This commendation came during their recent visit to UPDF Colleges in Jinja, where they met with the Commandants of the National Defence College – Uganda (NDC – U), Senior Command and Staff College (SCSC) – Kimaka, and the Junior Staff College (JSC).

His Excellency Jan Sadek, the EU Ambassador to Uganda, remarked, “We are here as one who shares the same vision to commend Uganda as a key player in supporting peace and stability in the region, especially Somalia. The agenda is to strengthen our history as good partners with Uganda in many aspects and to understand the security in the region.”

Maj Gen Francis Okello, Commandant of the NDC – U, expressed appreciation for the longstanding relationship between Uganda and the EU, emphasising the importance of global partnerships in peace and security, and recognising the UPDF’s role in maintaining stability.

Maj Gen Okello voiced hopes for enhanced collaboration with EU member state institutions.

Maj Gen George Igumba, Commandant of the SCSC, Kimaka, noted that the establishment of the college aims to support the professionalisation of the defence forces, as pledged by President and Commander-in-Chief, H.E. Gen Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.

He added that the college’s mission is to bolster the leadership skills of officers to prepare them for higher command and staff roles, expressing a desire to collaborate with EU member state staff colleges to improve training methods and share resources, including educational materials.

The visiting ambassadors included; Amb. Hugues Chantry of Belgium, Amb. Signe Wiinding of Denmark, Amb. Mauro Massoni of Italy, Amb. Xavier Sticker of France, Amb. Frederieke Quispel of the Netherlands, Amb. Maria Hackanson of Sweden, Amb. Kevin Colgan of Ireland, Mrs Katja Kerschbaumer of Austria, and Amb. Mathias Schauer of Germany.

Also in attendance were Brig Gen Chris Ogwal, Commandant of the JSC, Brig Gen David Tweheyo, College Secretary NDC-U, Brig Gen Kefa Nangeso, Dean of Studies NDC-U, and Prof Rutanga, Head of Post Graduate Studies, among others. (All photos by UPDF)