The UPDF Deputy Chief of Defence Forces Lt Gen Wilson Mbadi, has urged Eastern African partner states to refocus their efforts towards the building of stronger regional blocks for prosperity and transformation to dominate.
“The safest way to guarantee peace and security for Africa is political integration. Our strength is in integration,” said Lt Gen Mbadi said while addressing a visiting visiting delegation from the Zimbabwe Staff College on behalf of the Chief of Defence Forces Gen David Muhoozi, at the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs headquarters in Mbuya, Kampala.
He noted that in order to consolidate peace and security on the continent, there is need for urgent participation of all African states to create mechanisms that can fight threats from extremists like the Allied Democratic Front (ADF), Al-Shabaab or any other form of criminality that would be a threat to security.
“Peace is a pre-requisite for socio-economic transformation and sharing of intelligence is equally important to mitigate asymmetric threats,” he added.
He commended the visiting Zimbabwean delegation of senior officers for choosing Uganda as their destination and assured them that the tour will strengthen further the cooperation between the two countries.
Such visits, Lt.Gen. Mbadi said help build mutual cooperation, trust and also re-awaken the focus on integration for peace and development.
Responding to questions about the country and UPDF’s journey to success from the Zimbabwe Staff College students, Lt Gen Mbadi explained that Uganda’s development is built on the tenets of strong ideology, Democracy, Pan-Africanism and a clear path to socio-economic transformation.
The Head of the students and directing staff from the Zimbabwe Staff College, Group Captain Winnie Mandeya on behalf of the Commander of Zimbabwe Defence Forces Gen PV Sibamba, commended the Uganda Government for spear heading the campaign against poverty and thanked UPDF for securing the country for socio – economic transformation.
She said the study tour will strengthen relations between their two countries, in terms of sharing the political, social, and economic progress attained by both countries.
The function was attended by the UPDF Chief of Training and Recruitment Brig Willis Byarugaba, Chief of Personnel and Administration Brig George Igumba, Defence Spokesperson Brig Richard Karemire, Chief of Policy and Planning Brig Alex Olupot, Deputy Chief of Military Intelligence Brig Henry Isoke and the Director Human Rights Brig Charles Wacha Angulo, among others.
