Uganda's defence minister, US delegation discuss bilateral relations

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Uganda's defence minister, Jacob Marksons Oboth Oboth, has held talks with a delegation of professional staff members from the United States (US) House of Representatives foreign affairs committee, led by the US Ambassador to Uganda William Popp.

The army, in a statement, said the meeting, held at the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs (MODVA) headquarters in Mbuya, focused on enhancing bilateral relations between Uganda and the US, particularly in defence.

Uganda's defence minister Jacob Marksons Oboth Oboth and US Ambassador to Uganda William Popp interact after the engagement. (Credit: MODVA)

Oboth praised the strong partnership between the two countries, highlighting the US support in regional counter-terrorism operations. He noted that combating terrorism is a global effort that cannot be undertaken by a single nation.

He highlighted Uganda’s ongoing operations in Somalia and the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, describing them as guided by a spirit of Pan-Africanism.

“We have one country that we must preserve, but we cannot preserve it when our neighbours are not at peace,” Oboth said.

Ambassador Popp commended the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) for maintaining security in the Great Lakes region, contributing to cross-border peace, and supporting counter-terrorism efforts in Somalia.

Uganda's defence minister Jacob Marksons Oboth Oboth poses for a photo with the delegation after the meeting. (Credit: MODVA)

The Professional staff members is apolitical, non-partisan high-level committee of the House of Representatives whose advice is highly regarded by parties in the USA.

The meeting was attended by ministry permanent secretary Rosette Byengoma, deputy Chief of Defence Forces Lt Gen Sam Okiding, Chief of Joint Staff Lt Gen Jack Bakasumba, commander Land Force Lt Gen Kayanja Muhanga, Chief of Defence Intelligence and Security Maj. Gen. Richard Otto, director legal affairs Maj. Gen. Aloysius Kagoro, US Defence Attaché to Uganda Lt. Col. Christian Noumba and senior officers.