The Chief of Defence Forces of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF), Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, and his Ethiopian counterpart, Field Marshal Birhanu Jula, held talks on military cooperation between their respective militaries.

Gen Kainerugaba was accompanied by the Deputy Chief of Defence Forces, Lt Gen Sam Okiding, who arrived with him in the Ethiopian capital on Saturday afternoon.

Upon arrival, Gen Kainerugaba was welcomed at the Ethiopian Ministry of Defence Headquarters for talks with Field Marshal Jula, the Chief of General Staff of the Ethiopian National Defence Force (ENDF).

After inspecting the guard of honour mounted by ENDF soldiers, Gen Kainerugaba had a private one-on-one meeting with Field Marshal Jula, followed by a meeting with their respective delegates.

Gen Kainerugaba’s delegation also included Lt Gen Sam Kavuma, Commander of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), and Brig Gen Anthony Lukwago Mbuusi, Sector One Contingent Commander under ATMIS, among other senior UPDF officers.

During a joint press conference, both leaders highlighted their discussions, which focused on traditional ties between Uganda and Ethiopia, joint military training, and intelligence sharing to address common threats.

Gen Kainerugaba expressed gratitude for the warm reception and noted that the discussions were fruitful.

Field Marshal Jula thanked Gen Kainerugaba for visiting Ethiopia and reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening military cooperation with his Ugandan counterpart.

This meeting follows Field Marshal Jula’s visit to Uganda in July, where he met Gen Kainerugaba and President Yoweri Museveni.

These high-level visits demonstrate both nations’ commitment to mutual cooperation and bilateral relations.

Notably, Gen Kainerugaba visited Ethiopia in 2022, meeting Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and several top military leaders.