SOLID ALLIES: Uganda, Kenya Strengthen Defence Ties with Focus on Troop Welfare and Family Support

A delegation from the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) has conducted a benchmarking visit to the Kenya Defence Forces Welfare Services (DEFWES) in Nairobi, as part of Uganda’s broader efforts to enhance the welfare and well-being of its military personnel and their families.

The visit, led by Deputy Commander Land Force, Major General Francis Takirwa, underscores Uganda’s commitment to improving welfare structures within the UPDF through regional cooperation and the exchange of best practices.

Hosted at the DEFWES Headquarters in Moi Air Base, Eastleigh, the delegation was received by Brigadier Peter Limo, the Managing Director of DEFWES, who presented Kenya’s comprehensive framework on welfare and veterans’ affairs. His briefing covered areas such as healthcare, housing, education, cooperative societies, and income-generating initiatives designed to empower service members and their dependents.

Major General Takirwa praised the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) for their “structured and innovative approach” to welfare management, noting that Uganda stands to gain from adapting such systems to local conditions.

“Thank you DEFWES officials for your time in making us understand your Defence Welfare Service. By the end of this trip, we shall emulate the knowledge and embrace this collaboration again,” he said.

The UPDF delegation also paid a courtesy call on the Commander of the Kenya Air Force, Major General Bernard Waliaula, who urged them to identify models that could strengthen Uganda’s military welfare programs.

The team later toured the DEFWES Headquarters warehouse and DEFWES Mall in Embakasi, where they gained insights into the institution’s operational structure and service delivery mechanisms.

Other members of the Ugandan delegation included Brigadier General Mc Kamugira, Uganda’s Defence Attaché to Kenya; Brigadier General Metland Bitumbika, General Manager of Defence Force Shop Uganda Limited (DEFSUL); and Major Seth Ngabirano, DEFSUL Company Secretary.

The visit marks another milestone in the growing cooperation between the UPDF and KDF, aligning with the East African Community’s vision for shared learning and professional development across member states’ defence institutions.