The Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Senior Presidential Advisor for Special Operations, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, hosted former US Director of the Defense Intelligence, Lieutenant General Michael Thomas Flynn, to a dinner on Saturday evening at Serena Hotel Kigo.
During the meeting, Gen Muhoozi expressed gratitude for Gen Flynn’s visit, describing the engagement as the start of a meaningful relationship between the two leaders and their respective institutions.
“We used to study some of his papers when we were at Fort Leavenworth, and we are honoured that he is here with us. I believe this is the beginning of a very consequential and important relationship,” he said.
Much of their discussions focused on the role of education in shaping responsible citizens and future leaders. Gen Muhoozi stressed the importance of instilling patriotism, moral values, and civic responsibility among young people.
The talks also explored the military’s potential role in strengthening education and leadership development.
Gen Muhoozi noted that the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) operates military primary and secondary schools that follow the national curriculum, but highlighted opportunities to learn from US models such as the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC), which integrates leadership and military training into school programs.
“Perhaps we need to think about how we can develop something similar within our own system,” he said.
Lt Gen Flynn, who served in the US military for over 33 years, highlighted the importance of building enduring relationships between nations and institutions.
“The most important thing you can do in life is develop relationships with people and make those relationships last over time. Relationships matter most when you are in trouble. You don’t want to build them in a moment of crisis,” he said.
He also emphasised Africa’s potential, particularly Uganda’s youthful population, noting that structured education and leadership training can transform national development.
“The generals eventually go away, and we have to develop new leaders. Where you develop leaders best is often in the military, where there is focus on discipline, training, education and teamwork,” Gen Flynn added.
Lieutenant General Michael Thomas Flynn is a retired officer of the United States Army who served for over 33 years. He is widely known for his expertise in military intelligence and national security matters.
During his career, he held several high-profile positions, including Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), where he oversaw US military intelligence operations globally.
Flynn also gained attention for his work on counterterrorism and military strategy, and after retiring from active service, he has remained a prominent figure in discussions on security, defense policy, and international military cooperation.
Because you’re asking in the context of his visit to Uganda, it’s worth noting that he brings decades of military leadership experience, particularly in intelligence, leadership training, and the integration of education into military development programs.
