Security Forces Urged to Prioritize Proactive Disaster Management as “OKOA MAISHA” Exercise Concludes
Security agencies and emergency response stakeholders have been urged to adopt proactive disaster management strategies following the successful completion of the week-long OKOA MAISHA disaster response exercise at the Uganda Rapid Deployment Capability (URDC) Headquarters in Jinja.
Speaking on behalf of Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabbanja and Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Maj. Gen. Bob Ogik commended participants for their commitment to strengthening Uganda’s disaster preparedness.
He emphasized the need for enhanced inter-agency coordination, resource-sharing, and the adoption of best practices to improve national disaster response capabilities.
“I urge each of you to take the knowledge and skills you have acquired and share them within your respective agencies and communities,” Maj. Gen. Ogik said, stressing the importance of translating lessons learned into practical disaster management measures.
He noted that the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), with support from its partners, has developed the capacity to handle both natural and man-made disasters and is ready for deployment when needed.
Brig. Gen. Earnest Nuwagaba, the Exercise Director and Commander of the URDC, described the training as a crucial test of Uganda’s disaster response mechanisms.
“This seven-day exercise was designed to assess and validate the readiness and capability of HQ-URDC in responding to emerging disasters,” he explained.
He added that the East African region remains highly prone to disasters, making such exercises essential for improving collaboration and efficiency among key stakeholders.
Brig. Gen. (Rtd) Fred Rugadya Akiiki, Head of the National Emergency Coordination and Operations Center, noted that the exercise, conducted in Buluganya Sub-County, Bulambuli District, successfully simulated real-life disaster scenarios.
Participants were drawn from various government agencies, including the UPDF, Office of the Prime Minister, Ministry of Works and Transport, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Uganda Police Force, Uganda Prisons Service, Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control, and Uganda Red Cross Society.
Among the officials present were Brig. Gen. Chris Ogwal (Commandant, Junior Staff College), Brig. Gen. Flavia Byekwaso (Chief of Staff, URDC), Brig. Gen. Micheal Ssozi Ssesanga (Commandant, Non-Commissioned Officers Academy and Exercise Controller), Brig. Gen. Saad Katemba (UPDF Director of Training), SSP Bosco Arop (Deputy Commandant, Police Senior Command and Staff College, Bwebajja), Ms. Amanda Magambo (Head of the Civilian Component), and Air Commodore Kedar Thaaka (Director, National Forensic University - Uganda Campus), among others.
