Mbuya | On Tuesday, Maj Gen Bob Ogiki, Chief of Joint Staff Policy and Strategy for the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Force (UPDF), welcomed a delegation from the National Defence College of the Bangladesh Armed Forces War College.
The visitors were welcomed at the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs (MODVA) headquarters in Mbuya, Kampala.
This meeting demonstrated both countries’ commitment to sharing knowledge and best practices in military affairs.
During the discussion, Maj Gen Ogiki emphasised Uganda and Bangladesh’s deep historical connections, which have fostered mutual growth and understanding.
He added, “These visits are a testament to our strong relationship,” emphasising the importance of learning from one another’s experiences.
Maj Gen Ogiki reflected on the two countries’ shared historical challenges, noting that, despite facing different obstacles, they both have stories of overcoming insurgencies and dictatorial regimes.
He also acknowledged that Bangladesh, which achieved independence nine years before Uganda, has made significant progress in development and now outperforms Uganda in terms of capability and Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Despite this, Major General Ogiki remains optimistic about Uganda’s prospects. “Not all hope is lost for Uganda,” he said, adding that “in the coming years, there will be a remarkable outlook.”
He praised Uganda’s progress over the last 36 years, despite a difficult history characterised by decades of stagnation.
Ogiki encouraged the delegation to engage with Ugandans to better understand the country’s journey and aspirations, stating, “There is a clear vision that most Ugandans share.”
Captain B. M Hassan Muhmud, the head of the Bangladeshi delegation, expressed gratitude for the warm reception from the UPDF, noting that this was their first engagement outside of UN peacekeeping.
Muhmud expressed gratitude to Uganda for being the chosen destination for their learning journey.
Capt Muhmud revealed that their visit included interactions with other African countries, including Kenya, Rwanda, and Zimbabwe, with the goal of establishing a “four-sister” relationship to improve cooperation among friendly forces.
“The visit of the National Defence College Bangladesh Armed Forces to Uganda represents a significant milestone in strengthening the partnership between the two countries,” said the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs.
“As both countries continue to share insights and best practices, the future of military collaboration is bright.”
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