Uganda and Somalia have deepened their defence ties, signing a joint communiqué to enhance cooperation between the two countries. The agreement was formalized at the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs (MODVA) headquarters in Mbuya, Kampala, during a meeting yesterday.
The meeting featured Uganda’s Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs, Hon. Jacob Oboth Oboth, and his Somali counterpart, H.E. Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur, who was in Uganda for a two-day working visit.
Hon. Oboth emphasized the long-standing relationship between Uganda and Somalia, highlighting Uganda’s 17-year commitment to Somalia’s stability. He stated, “What affects Somalia affects Uganda too,” and credited the Pan-African ideology of President Museveni as inspiration for Uganda’s involvement.
H.E. Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur expressed gratitude for the sacrifices of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces in Somalia, noting that “This spirit of Pan-Africanism gives us courage.”
The ministers revisited discussions between Presidents Museveni and Mohamud from the latter’s visit to Uganda on February 7, 2025, and assessed the progress of bilateral defence cooperation. They also addressed regional security, emphasizing the importance of peace and stability in the Horn of Africa.
Both ministers acknowledged the launch of the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), which succeeds the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS).
Key figures present at the meeting included Uganda’s Ambassador to Somalia, H.E. Maj Gen (Rtd) Nathan Mugisha, Somalia’s Ambassador to Uganda, H.E. Fardosa Mohamed Kanyare, MODVA Permanent Secretary Mrs. Rosette Byengoma, and various high-ranking military officials from both nations.
