Uganda Launches Final Planning Phase For Disaster Readiness Drill OKOA MAISHA

The Final Planning Conference (FPC) for the highly anticipated Command Post Exercise (CPX) OKOA MAISHA has officially begun at the Uganda Rapid Deployment Capability (HQ URDC) headquarters in Jinja.

Spanning three days, the conference was formally opened by Brigadier General Earnest Nuwagaba, Commander of HQ URDC and Director of the Exercise. Addressing participants, Brig Gen Nuwagaba underscored the critical aim of the CPX: to assess and test the readiness of both the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) and HQ URDC to effectively respond to disasters within a 72-hour timeframe. “This will be a simulation exercise based on a case study of disaster-prone areas in the Elgon sub-region. It is designed to enhance the operational capabilities and staff competencies of HQ URDC,” Brig Gen Nuwagaba said.

He further noted that the conference brings together key players from the military, police, government ministries, and other strategic stakeholders. He highlighted that such joint participation is indispensable in strengthening inter-agency communication, coordination, decision-making, and overall mission effectiveness.

The FPC represents the final phase in the planning cycle for OKOA MAISHA, following both the Initial and Main Planning Conferences, as well as the Tabletop Exercise conducted in March 2025, from which key lessons have been incorporated.

The conference has attracted a high-level delegation of participants, including Brig Gen Akiiki Rugadya from the Office of the Prime Minister; Brig Gen Flavia Byekwaso, Chief of Staff at HQ URDC; Brig Gen Michael Ssozi Ssesanga, Commandant of the Non-Commissioned Officers Academy; Senior Superintendent of Police Bosco Arop, Deputy Commandant of the Police Senior Command and Staff College; Senior Superintendent of Prisons Doreen Asiimwe from the Department of National, Regional, and International Cooperation in Uganda Prisons; Mr Simunyu Jacob from Immigration; and Mr Gidoi Charles, Principal Assistant Chief Administrative Officer for Bulambuli District, among others.

The CPX OKOA MAISHA is expected to simulate a large-scale coordinated disaster response operation, reinforcing Uganda’s capacity to manage emergencies with speed, efficiency, and unified command.

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