Ugandan Delegates Strengthen Disaster Response Skills Through US-Supported Civil-Military Course

Uganda has boosted its disaster preparedness capacity after delegates from civil and military institutions completed a week-long training in Civil-Military Coordination for Disaster Relief, held at Paradise Hotel on the Nile from 8 to 12 September 2025.

Facilitated by the United States Institute for Security Governance, the course officially concluded on 12 September with participants receiving certificates of completion.

Brigadier General Ernest Nuwagaba, Commander of the Uganda Rapid Deployment Capability (URDC) and a participant representing the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF), commended the organisers and the US government for their support. “I thank participants for their marvelous participation, cooperation, discipline, time management and urge them to put into practice lessons picked in this course because they will be beneficial for their career development,” Brig Gen Nuwagaba said.

Speaking on behalf of URDC, he noted the long-term value of the programme. “This is just the beginning and what they need to do is to keep record what they are doing, keep trucking it and this will make them reach where they want to be,” he remarked.

Brig Gen Nuwagaba emphasised that the URDC’s mission is to foster strong coordination among stakeholders in responding to disasters and similar challenges. He also expressed appreciation to the facilitators and wished them a safe return to the United States.

Ms Ashley Woodson, the Course Director, thanked the Ugandan government for its hospitality and praised the professionalism shown by the participants.

The curriculum covered national and international disaster response systems, coordination across military, civilian, humanitarian and medical actors, as well as risk management and resilience strategies for disaster preparedness and response.

Prominent attendees included Brig Gen Flavia Byekwaso, Brig Gen Michael Ssozi Ssesanga, Col Joseph Eceleare Okalebo, Col Susan Mwanga, Mr Edema (Chief Administrative Officer, Bulambuli District), and representatives from the Office of the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs, the Ministry of Works and Transport, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Red Cross.

The course reflects Uganda’s continued commitment to strengthening civil-military cooperation and improving disaster response in partnership with international allies.