African defence chiefs to tackle emerging security threats at Kampala Conference
Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba will next week host Chiefs of Defence Forces from 14 African countries, commanders of peace support missions on the continent, representatives from the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA), and executives of regional political and economic community organisations.
CDF Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba poses for a group photo with members of the strategic and technical planning committees of the upcoming conference at the SFC Headquarters in Entebbe on October 1. (Courtesy)
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The defence chiefs from 14 African countries are set to discuss emerging security threats ranging from cyber warfare and artificial intelligence to terrorism, climate change, pandemics and border security in Kampala.
The inaugural four-day conference on Military Operations Other Than War (MOOTW) will bring together defence chiefs, peace support mission commanders on the continent, representatives of the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA)and regional security bodies.
In a press statement on Thursday (October 1), Col Chris Magezi, the acting director of defence public information at the defence and veteran affairs ministry, said the conference will also attract the executives of regional political and economic community organisations.
The conference, organised by the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs and the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF), will be held at Speke Resort Munyonyo in Kampala from October 5-8, 2026.
“The Chief of Defence Forces and Senior Presidential Advisor for Special Operations, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, will next week host Chiefs of Defence Forces from 14 African countries, commanders of peace support missions on the continent, representatives from the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA), and executives of regional political and economic community organisations,” said Magezi.
The meeting will focus on emerging and non-traditional security challenges confronting African states and the need for responses that go beyond conventional military operations.
The key themes scheduled for discussion include transnational threats; cyber security and artificial intelligence; unmanned aerial systems; peace support operations; gender mainstreaming; climate change; disaster management; natural resources management; military support to civil authorities; maritime and border security; space and environmental security; critical infrastructure; disease pandemics; external influence; and legal and ethical accountability.
Several continental and regional organisations have also confirmed their participation.
They include the African Union, East African Standby Force (EASF), East African Community (EAC), Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD), North African Regional Capability (NARC), and the Economic Community of West African States Commission (ECOWAS).
The conference will further bring together Force Commanders of the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), the United Nations Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA), and the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNIMIS), based in Juba.
Magezi said additional confirmations from invited countries and organisations were expected.
“Uganda’s position on the key conference themes reflects its dual role as the host country and a nation with significant expertise in peace support operations, counter terrorism, counterinsurgency, border security, disaster response, and civil-military cooperation."
The conference is equally expected to advance Uganda's position that Africa's changing security environment requires broader approaches than the use of military force alone.
“The fundamental assertion is that Africa’s emerging security threats cannot be mitigated solely through military force, but through the employment of the whole of society and government approach,” said Magezi.
MOOTW encompasses military activities undertaken in circumstances where armed conflict is not necessarily the principal focus, including support to civil authorities, disaster response, peace support activities and other operations addressing security challenges that require cooperation between military and civilian institutions.
The meeting comes as African countries and regional organisations continue to confront security challenges that cut across national borders and traditional military responsibilities.
CDF Muhoozi on Thursday afternoon chaired a final planning meeting involving the strategic and technical committees preparing for the conference. The meeting was held at the Special Forces Command (SFC) headquarters in Entebbe.
The UPDF maintains several military partnerships and cooperation agreements with several national armies and international defence forces in Africa and beyond.
For example, the UPDF and the Congolese National Army (FARDC) are engaged in joint cross-border military operations (Operation Shujaa) targeting the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
With the Rwanda Defence Forces (RDF), they have mutual military cooperation, border security, and diplomatic engagements among other partnerships.
The UPDF has also maintained active exchange programmes, reciprocal staff college study tours, and joint officer training at various military education tiers with the Nigerian Armed Forces.
With the Malian Armed Forces, the UPDF has signed a formal military cooperation agreement aimed at regional stability, which includes specialised cadet training exchanges in Uganda.