On October 8, 2026, Major General Vincent Nyakarundi, the Commander of Rwanda's Ground Forces, led a delegation of Rwandan military officials to a meeting of senior military commanders from the East African region and Africa, held in Kampala, Uganda. The meeting brought together top military commanders, intelligence chiefs, and leaders of peacekeeping missions deployed by the United Nations (UN) and the African Union (AU). The event was officially opened by Uganda's Chief of Defence Forces, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, with President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni as the Chief Guest.
The meeting's participants signed a communiqué calling on African countries to strengthen military cooperation, including joint exercises, training, intelligence sharing, and border security, with the aim of consolidating peace and security on the continent. The communiqué also emphasized the need for enhanced collaboration to address common security challenges. Maj Gen Nyakarundi stressed the importance of regular joint military exercises and intelligence sharing to foster cooperation and implement decisions effectively.
In his remarks, Maj Gen Nyakarundi suggested that joint military exercises should be planned and executed by small teams of national representatives to facilitate cooperation and implementation of agreements. He expressed Rwanda's support for the meeting's outcomes and thanked the Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) for hosting the event. The meeting was also attended by representatives of African countries, regional and international organizations, including MONUSCO, IGAD, and NARC, as well as diplomats and military attachés.
President Museveni, in his address, emphasized that sustainable security is linked to a stable economy, political unity, and cooperation. He highlighted the importance of regional collaboration to address security challenges and promote peace and stability. The President also underscored the need for African countries to work together to build a secure and prosperous region.
The meeting provided a platform for participants to discuss regional security issues, share experiences, and explore opportunities for cooperation. Maj Gen Nyakarundi and other attendees also had the opportunity to engage with Uganda's military leadership and other senior officials. The event demonstrated the commitment of regional actors to promoting peace and security in East Africa and beyond.
The Rwandan delegation's participation in the meeting reflects the country's continued engagement with regional and international partners on security issues. Rwanda has been actively involved in various peacekeeping and security initiatives in the region, including the African Union's peacekeeping mission in Darfur. The country's military has also participated in joint exercises and training programs with other regional countries.
The Kampala meeting concluded with a renewed commitment to regional cooperation and peacebuilding efforts. The participants agreed to follow up on the meeting's outcomes and to continue working together to address common security challenges. Maj Gen Nyakarundi and the Rwandan delegation returned home after the meeting, having contributed to the discussions and agreements aimed at promoting peace and stability in the region.
Key points
- Maj Gen Vincent Nyakarundi led a Rwandan delegation to a regional security meeting in Uganda, focusing on enhancing cooperation and peacekeeping efforts.
