Uganda Moves To Deepen Aviation & Security Collaboration With Ethiopia

By Alex Masereka Joel

Uganda and Ethiopia are engaged in high level talks with the goal of broader cooperation, especially in the areas of aviation and security.

Speaking on behalf of the Permanent Secretary of Uganda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Vincent Bagiire, Ambassador Richard Kabonero spoke of the need to cement the longstanding partnership between the two nations, founded on mutual trust, Pan-Africanism, and collaboration at all levels.

He made the remarks during ttheopening session of the Joint Ministerial Commission happening Addis Ababa.

The 4th Uganda-Ethiopia Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) meeting, originally established in 1993, has served as a platform for enhancing strategic cooperation. The last session, held in Kampala in 2019, emphasized trade, security, and infrastructure development.

Ethiopia’s Acting Director General of Africa Affairs, Ambassador Zerihun Abebe, Uganda’s Ambassador to Ethiopia, Rebecca Amuge Otengo and Ethiopia Ambassador to Uganda H.E Etsegenet Yimenu Bezabih, among others were present during the opening session of the JMC.

This year’s discussions are aimed at fastracking these priorities, with aviation and security cooperation taking center stage.

Advancing Aviation Collaboration

Uganda and Ethiopia are working towards finalizing three critical Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) in the aviation sector:

Cooperation in Aviation Training; This agreement will enhance capacity-building efforts, facilitating knowledge exchange between Uganda’s Civil Aviation Authority and Ethiopia’s aviation institutions.

Uganda and Ethiopia’s depegations at the opening session of the JMC

Cooperation in Aircraft Accident & Incident Investigation; According to Ambassador Kabonero, this initiative aims to strengthen safety protocols, ensuring effective responses to aviation emergencies.

Cooperation in Migration Management; Focused on improving border control measures, this MoU will enhance efforts to streamline migration processes while maintaining security.

Ethiopia, home to Africa’s largest airline, Ethiopian Airlines, has expressed readiness to support Uganda’s aviation industry through expertise sharing and technical support.

Last year, Boeing chose Ethiopia as location for its Africa headquarters. Kenya and South Africa were among those tipped to take the place.

Uganda is hoping to share on this experience and sees this cooperation as instrumental in boosting its national carrier, Uganda Airlines, and expanding its aviation infrastructure.

Strengthening Security and Defense Ties

In addition to aviation, security cooperation remains a cornerstone of Uganda-Ethiopia relations. The JMC discussions have highlighted key areas, including:

Border security – Enhancing law enforcement collaboration to address cross-border threats and illicit activities.

Transboundary water security – Strengthening diplomatic efforts to ensure fair and sustainable management of shared water resources.

Regional stability – Reinforcing joint initiatives to counter emerging security challenges in the Horn of Africa.

Uganda and Ethiopia’s army chiefs have in the past one year exchanged visits between Kampala and Addis Ababa as part of efforts to strengthen their cooperation.

In December last year, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba visited Addis Ababa. His visit came five months after his Ethiopian counterpart Field Marshal Birhanu Jula paid a similar visit.

Both Uganda and Ethiopia are part of thr Troop Controbuting Countries to Somalia under AUSSOM.

Their MoUs seek to deepen this cooperation.