The President and Commander-In-Chief of the UPDF, HE Yoweri Kaguta Museveni Tibuhaburwa has indicated that prioritising integration will help each member of the East African Community (EAC) to benefit from the wider market and strategic security to manage both internal and external threats.
Museveni’s remarks were delivered by First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for EAC Affairs, Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga as she officiated at the closure of the 12th Edition of the EAC Armed Forces Field Training Exercise (FTX) in Jinja.
“Integration will introduce a bigger market and resources in the region,” noted the President, calling upon all EAC Partner States to continue working together for the prosperity and security of the people.
“Independently each can’t guarantee its survival but together we can,” said Museveni, adding that the recent entry of the Democratic Republic of Congo into the regional EAC bloc will provide a new trade corridor for the region, based on the large population in DR Congo.
Speaking at the same function, the EAC Secretary General, Dr. Peter Mathuki said that the FTX is part of the series to promote peace and security.
He mentioned that the civil military cooperation activities like the constructed class room blocks and Maternity ward during the exercise renew the forces’ commitment to protect and defend the people.
The EAC Secretary General noted that threats in the region continue thus the reason to jointly train and deepen integration.
“Let us work together to promote integration and engage in activities that garner mutual support and confidence,” he said.
The UPDF Joint Chief of Staff Maj Gen Leopold Kyanda on behalf of the Chief of Defence Forces, Gen Wilson Mbadi noted that the joint training exercise is a clear demonstration that Africans got the enthusiasm and capability to solve their own problems.
“This assembly is a testimony to the world that integration of EAC is possible for the common good of the East African people,” he said, calling for continuous joint training to enhance peace, security and transformation of the region.
The Exercise Director, Maj Gen Don Nabasa commended government and UPDF leadership for supporting the exercise that has achieved its intended objective of covering the four thematic areas which include; peace support operations, counter piracy, counter terrorism and disaster management to promote peace and security.
He noted that the CIMIC projects that included construction of a two-classroom block at Nsube Primary School, another two-classroom block at Nyenga Primary School and Maternity ward at Ivunamba HC II in Budondo sub county demonstrates the forces special relationship with the civilian population.
This year’s FTX Ushirikiano Imara, translated as strong partnership, ran under the theme: “Promoting Peace, Security and Stability towards the Integration of East Africa.”
It started on 27th May and will end on 16th June 2022 in the districts of Jinja, Buikwe and Mayuge.
Participants composed of the military, police, prisons and key civilian components.
They were drawn from Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Uganda and Tanzania; with observers from DR Congo to benchmark from it.