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The Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), Gen Wilson Mbadi, has asked Operational Expert Legal Advisors (LEGAD) and Commanders to respect laws in operational settings for the success of missions.

Mbadi says respecting laws builds respect for the mission when people and victims of armed conflict are protected. 

The CDF made the pronouncements on Tuesday at the Imperial Golf View Hotel in Entebbe at the ongoing LEGAD workshop organized by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

In his speech read by UPDF Director of Training Brig Gen Fred Twinamasiko, Mbadi said, “The preparation of experts through workshops is one of the key tenets of preparing officers to be able to undertake the functions and responsibilities of legal advisors in an operational setting.” 

He told participants that ICRC has been active in Uganda since 1979, and continues to be active to date. 

“As a Country and the UPDF, we appreciate the good work ICRC is doing in ensuring humanitarian protection and assistance for victims of armed conflict and other situations of violence. ICRC continues to exhibit a timely response to emergencies and at the same time, you promote respect for International Humanitarian law and its implementation in National Law,” said Mbandi.

He acknowledged the training provided by ICRC to all UPDF Personnel on International Humanitarian law, human rights, refugee law, IDPs, supporting disaster activities and protection of civilians in times of armed conflict and post-conflict. 

“It is in line with these activities that the workshop will provide a platform for exchanges between military practitioners, military academics and Humanitarians in training and dissemination,” he said.

The regional delegation to Uganda, Rwanda and Bujumbura, also the Head of Operations Kampala Martin Agura Oguya noted that they gathered to engage in a comprehensive exploration of issues surrounding the employment of Operational Legal Advisors across Africa.

He added that the workshop aims at understanding the challenges and opportunities in the field and identifying strategies to enhance the operational effectiveness of LEGADs.

Agura expressed gratitude to the Government of Uganda as a host Country, and the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) for the proactive inputs. 

“Thank you, South Africa, Ethiopia, Malawi, South Sudan, Mali, Kenya, Burundi, the Netherlands and Switzerland; for your contribution towards the success of this workshop by sending Operational Legal Advisors and Commanders,” he elaborated.

He urged participants to foster an environment of open dialogue, knowledge sharing and collaborative problem-solving.

Present at the workshop was the UPDF Chief of Legal Services, Brig Gen Gordan Busingye, Brig Gen Hirpo Mesheda Areda of Ethiopia and Division Operations Training Officer Col Amstrong Ndugga.

Others included Commandant Legal Training Centre Lt Col Suzan Mwanga, Lt Col Arthur Te Lintelo of Netherlands, Lt Col Felix Kioko from Kenya, Col Carl Marchand from Switzerland, Regional Facilitators, ICRC Staff and other course participants, among others.