East African Community Military Intelligence Chiefs Called To Deepen Cooperation Against Regional Security Challenges

East African Community Military and Defence Intelligence Services have been challenged to deepen collaboration to address the increasingly complex security environment facing the region and the world.

The call was made during the East African Community (EAC) Military and Defence Intelligence Chiefs/Heads meeting in Entebbe, where the delegates emphasised unity, innovation, and real-time intelligence sharing as critical to countering emerging threats.

Representing the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces Chief of Defence Forces, the Commander Land Force, Lt Gen Kayanja Muhanga, reaffirmed Uganda’s commitment to collective security efforts.

“Our challenges are interconnected. No country can afford to work in isolation. Together, through trust and collaboration, we can build a safer and more stable world,” said Lt Gen Muhanga

He said that the evolving global landscape presented opportunities and threats, underscoring the importance of collaboration and innovation in intelligence gathering and analysis.

“The war against terror cannot be won by individual states. It calls for unity, because regional and global stability demand collective action,” said Lt Gen Muhanga.

Lt Gen Muhanga observed the growing influence of emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), warning of its dual nature as both a security tool and a threat. He noted concerns over data privacy and security, with individuals often unknowingly exposing sensitive information.

He urged intelligence services to embrace innovation, invest in developing talent, and build stronger partnerships with the private sector and academia to tap into their expertise.

He pointed out that the world is moving from being led by one major power to being influenced by several, while still facing problems like climate change, pandemics, cyberattacks, terrorism, and extremism.

Maj Gen Richard Otto, Uganda’s Chief of Defence Intelligence and Security, stressed the need for regional cooperation, saying such meetings provide a vital platform for sharing intelligence, coordinating operations, and strengthening a united response.

“The fortunes of our individual states are irrevocably bound to the security of our region. This reality compels us to adopt a posture defined by agility, unity, and unwavering resolve,” he stated.

Maj Gen Otto said no intelligence service, no matter how capable, can tackle shared threats independently. He urged delegates to engage openly, think strategically, and commit to decisions that bring real, practical results in the field.

Brig Gen Kirim Mugambi, Head of Kenya’s delegation and chair of the meeting, stressed that intelligence should be viewed not just as a political tool but as a shared resource for protecting security and promoting development.

He called on delegates to adopt integrated strategies that strengthen each country’s security systems while building joint capacity to tackle threats at all levels.

The meeting was attended by delegates from Burundi, Kenya, Somalia, Tanzania, Uganda and liaison officers