Minister Oleru Holds Talks With Danish, Dutch Envoys On Defence Cooperation

The Minister of State for Defence and Veteran Affairs, Hon. Dr Huda Abason Oleru, has held separate engagements with Danish and Dutch delegations on defence cooperation, regional security and Uganda’s contribution to Peace Support Operations at the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs (MODVA) Headquarters in Mbuya, Kampala.

The engagements brought together the Danish delegation, led by the Head of Department for Africa at the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Ketil Iversen Karlsen, who was accompanied by the Ambassador of Denmark to Uganda, H.E. Signe Winding Albjerg, and the Dutch delegation, led by the Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Uganda, H.E. Angèle Samura.

Hon. Oleru reaffirmed Uganda’s position of pursuing sustainable peace and stability on the continent through African-led initiatives.

“Uganda remains committed to the Pan-African framework of finding African solutions to African problems,” Hon. Oleru said.

During her engagement with the Danish delegation, Hon. Oleru underscored the importance of deepening Uganda-Denmark defence cooperation and exploring areas of mutual interest.

During the meeting with the Dutch Ambassador, Hon. Oleru commended the Netherlands for its technical support and specialised training in Military Law, including support to training programmes at the Legal Training Centre in Jinja.

The Danish and Dutch delegations commended Uganda for its sustained contribution to regional security and recognised the role played by the UPDF in Peace Support Operations.

The meetings were attended by the Chief of Joint Staff, Lt Gen Jack Bakasumba; the Undersecretary for Finance and Administration, Mrs Edith Buturo; the Deputy Chief of Defence Intelligence and Security, Brig Gen Oscar Munanura; and other senior UPDF officers.

The Danish delegation included the Political Assistant, Ms. Nina Guldbaek Van Leeuwen, while the Dutch Ambassador was accompanied by the Defence Attaché, Lt Col Jeroen van der Nol and the First Secretary, Mr. Odde de Jong.