UPDF Hosts Nigerian Armed Forces Staff College Delegation on Pan-African Study Tour

The Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) hosted a delegation of 39 officers from the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Nigeria (AFCSC) who are in Uganda as part of their ongoing study tour across Africa.

The delegation’s visit aims to examine socio-economic, cultural, security, and political dynamics in selected African countries.

Representing the Chief of Defence Forces, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the Chief of Joint Staff, Lt Gen Jack Bakasumba, underlined the importance of African nations collaborating to address shared challenges.

He highlighted the longstanding military partnership between Uganda and Nigeria, noting that both countries regularly train officers at each other’s institutions.

Brig Gen Nnemeka Ogili, Director of the Department of Land Warfare at Nigeria’s Command and Staff College, who led the delegation commended Uganda for its role in regional peacekeeping. He cited the UPDF’s deployment to Somalia in 2007, describing it as a pioneering contribution when other countries were hesitant.

“No African country at that point was willing to put a foot on the ground in Somalia. A lot of countries had made pledges, but nobody deployed. Uganda did,” Brig Gen Ogili said. “And ever since, Uganda has remained in Somalia. We know that AUSSOM’s backbone is Uganda.”

He highlighted prominent UPDF officers who trained in Nigeria, including Maj Gen (Rtd) George Igumba, noting that many Ugandan officers have studied alongside Nigerian counterparts at Cadet, Staff College, and National Defence College levels.

Present were: The Deputy Chief of Defence Intelligence and Security – Brig Gen Abdul Rugumayo; Joint Staff – Logistics, Brig Gen Godfrey Karugaba; Joint Staff Finance – Brig Gen Robert Mugabe; the Deputy Defence Attache of Nigeria to Uganda – DM Bozegha, senior and junior officers, among others.