Uganda Calls For Capability-Based Defence Partnerships At Seoul Defence Dialogue

The Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs, Hon. Kiryowa Kiwanuka, has called for a fundamental shift in global defence cooperation, urging nations to move away from rigid, identity-based blocs towards flexible, capability-driven partnerships.

Hon. Kiryowa made the call during a plenary session on “Evolution of Alliances and Partnerships” at the 15th Seoul Defence Dialogue (SDD) in Seoul, South Korea.

The Dialogue, held from 7 to 9 September under the theme “Toward the New Coexistence in the Age of Turbulence,” brought together ministerial-level officials from more than 70 countries to discuss contemporary global security challenges, including security on the Korean Peninsula and emerging domains such as cyber and space.

“Our central proposition is this: the evolution of alliances is a transition from a rigid, identity-based geopolitical alignment towards flexible, interest-based and capability-oriented partnerships founded on sovereignty, mutual respect, reciprocity and shared responsibilities,” he said.

In his presentation on “Evolution of Alliances and Partnerships,” Hon. Kiwanuka traced the evolution of international alliances through six broad phases, from dynastic and ad hoc arrangements before 1648, through the balance of power, Cold War bipolar blocs, cooperative security and networked counter-terrorism cooperation, to the current era of strategic competition and multi-domain security.

He observed that the central question in modern defence cooperation is no longer “Who is my ally against whom?” but rather “Who can contribute useful capabilities to particular security challenges?”

*Uganda’s evolving defence partnerships*

Hon. Kiryowa highlighted Uganda’s own evolution in defence partnerships since independence, describing its phases shaped by the country’s changing security and strategic requirements.

He cited Uganda’s participation in regional and international peace and security operations, particularly in Somalia, as an example of the country’s growing role in addressing African security challenges.

He said Uganda’s approach is anchored in Patriotism and Pan-Africanism, with strategic autonomy understood as strengthening national capacity without isolating the country from international cooperation.

“Strategic autonomy should not be understood as strategic isolation,” Hon. Kiryowa said.

He added that Uganda’s partnerships are guided by the principle of “interests, not identity”, stressing that the country does not choose defence partners based on race, religion or geography, but on mutual interests, respect and reciprocity.

“A perfect example is Uganda and the Republic of Korea. Geographically and culturally distant, yet we are partners in professional military education, Taekwondo, military healthcare and defence modernisation. We do not need to be identical to be partners,” he said.

Major shifts for future defence cooperation

Hon. Kiryowa proposed five shifts that he said should shape future defence cooperation: from security assistance to sustainable capability; recognising Africa as a security partner rather than merely a recipient; African responsibility supported by international partnership; defence industrialisation and technological sovereignty; and human capital development.

“Technology without adequate human capacity can create dependency rather than capability,” he warned.

*Uganda, South Korea explore expanded defence cooperation*

On the sidelines of the Seoul Defence Dialogue, Hon. Kiryowa held bilateral talks with South Korea’s Minister of National Defence, Hon. Ahn Gyuback, where they discussed opportunities to deepen defence and expand cooperation into new areas of mutual interest.

Hon. Kiryowa proposed the establishment of a Centre of Excellence for Taekwondo in Uganda, with technical support from South Korea. The proposed centre, he said, would train military and civilian practitioners, develop instructors and coaches, facilitate technical exchanges and serve as a lasting symbol of the two countries’ relations.

Hon. Kiwanuka highlighted Uganda’s efforts to develop military medical infrastructure, including the establishment of a military referral hospital, and expressed interest in Korean support in training military medical personnel, military medicine, hospital management, medical technology, specialist medical education, exchange of medical expertise, and institutional cooperation between military hospitals.

The two ministers agreed that sustainable security requires a combination of defence capabilities, deterrence, modernisation, dialogue, international cooperation and capacity building.