Uganda has deployed a 69-member contingent to Nairobi to participate in the 14th edition of the East African Community Command Post Exercise, codenamed Ushirikiano Imara, aimed at strengthening regional security coordination and response mechanisms.
The contingent, comprising personnel from the military, police, prisons and civilian sectors, was officially flagged off at the Uganda Rapid Deployment Capability headquarters at Gaddafi Barracks.
The annual exercise, hosted on a rotational basis among member states of the East African Community, will run from May 8 to May 28, 2026.
It brings together participants from across the region to enhance cooperation in peace support operations, counterterrorism, counter-piracy and disaster management.
Speaking during the flag-off ceremony, Commandant of the Senior Command and Staff College Kimaka, Brigadier-General Micheal Kasango, urged the contingent to maintain discipline, professionalism and integrity throughout the exercise.
“Considering your training and experience, we expect you to represent the country well. Observe maximum professionalism and integrity, and build meaningful partnerships,” Brigadier Kasango said.
The Commander of the Uganda Rapid Deployment Capability Headquarters, Ernest Nuwagaba, who is also leading the Ugandan delegation, said the exercise is vital in strengthening regional cooperation against emerging security threats.
“This exercise is critical in strengthening collaboration among East African Community partner states. Joint engagements like these are essential in addressing emerging and complex security threats across the region,” Nuwagaba noted.
The police component leader, Dennis Ochama, said integrated training exercises improve coordination, interoperability and mission command among security agencies across the region.
“Training together improves coordination in mission command and integration among East African states. It also strengthens collaboration between ministries, departments and agencies,” Ochama said.
Meanwhile, the civilian component representative, Senior Immigration Officer Joseph Humphrey Wejuli, highlighted the advisory role played by civilian experts during the exercise.
“These are primarily civilian-led missions supported by the military and police. Our role is advisory — including guidance on human rights protection, immigration matters, intelligence collection and political dynamics. We also have legal experts to advise the head of mission on any legal issues that may arise,” Wejuli explained.
Ushirikiano Imara, which translates to “Strong Cooperation,” is an annual EAC exercise designed to test and improve the readiness of partner states in responding to regional crises.
The exercise has increasingly become a key platform for promoting trust, interoperability and collective security efforts across East Africa.
Uganda’s participation underscores its continued commitment to regional peace, stability and collaborative security initiatives within the EAC framework.
