Uganda, China Sign New Defence Pact as Gen Kainerugaba Meets Counterpart in Beijing

In a move to deepen defence cooperation, Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, held high-level talks with his Chinese counterpart, Gen Liu Zhenli, in Beijing on Thursday, culminating in the signing of a new bilateral military agreement.

Gen Kainerugaba, who also serves as Senior Presidential Advisor for Special Operations, was received by Gen Liu Zhenli, the Chief of the Joint Staff Department of China’s Central Military Commission, at the Chinese military headquarters.

Following official military welcomes, the two generals led their delegations in private discussions focused on areas of mutual strategic interest.

The Ugandan delegation included Maj Gen Dan Kakono, the Artillery Division Commander and Maj Gen Felix Busizoori, the 4th Infantry Division Commander. They met with a senior Chinese delegation comprising top military generals and officers from the People’s Liberation Army.

Gen Kainerugaba and his counterpart reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the longstanding military partnership between their two nations’ militaries.

Central to the discussions were key pillars of the existing relationship, including advanced military training, peace support operations, and enhanced defence diplomacy.

The talks culminated in the two generals presiding over the signing of a landmark bilateral military agreement. The pact aims to solidify defence cooperation, paving the way for increased exchanges in professional military education, joint training exercises, and technology transfer.

Meanwhile, Gen Kainerugaba’s official visit coincides with the 12th edition of the Beijing Xiangshan Forum, a major security conference that brings together defence officials and military experts from around the world to discuss global security issues.