The Republic of Uganda has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening the Eastern Africa Standby Force (EASF) and regional cooperation as the region confronts increasingly complex and unpredictable security challenges.

The commitment was made during the 36th Ordinary Session of the Committee of Chiefs of Defence and Security of the EASF in Kampala. The session brought together senior military leaders from member states.

Speaking at the opening of the meeting, Uganda’s Minister of State for Defence and Veteran Affairs (Defence), Grace Akifeza Ngabirano, said the region must strengthen cooperation and confidence to address emerging security threats.

“Security cannot be sustained through isolation. It is built through confidence, strengthened through partnership, and endures when nations choose cooperation over uncertainty,” Ngabirano said.

Ngabirano urged regional military leaders to anticipate emerging threats and strengthen professional military dialogue, interoperability and cooperation among neighbouring countries.

She said Chiefs of Defence and Security had evolved beyond their traditional roles as commanders of national armed forces to become strategic advisers to governments, custodians of national resilience and builders of regional confidence.

“You are builders of regional confidence. The relationship you cultivate, the truth you maintain, and the cooperation you strengthen are themselves strategic assets that contribute to preventing conflict and preserving stability,” Ngabirano added.

The UPDF Chief of Defence Forces, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, said the region’s security environment was becoming more demanding, with conflicts changing rapidly, extremist threats evolving, illicit networks becoming more sophisticated and technology reshaping military operations.

“In such an environment, preparedness is no longer measured by numbers alone. It is measured by agility, interoperability, foresight and the ability to respond decisively under uncertain circumstances,” Gen Kainerugaba said.

Gen Kainerugaba cited the ongoing transition to the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia as a reminder that Eastern Africa must remain prepared to respond to emerging security requirements.

“We cannot afford to depend on unpredictable circumstances. We must remain prepared to respond whenever the African Union and Member States require collective action,” he said.

He disclosed that the EASF had recently concluded a force verification exercise in Uganda, describing it as a practical demonstration of the capabilities and readiness of its military, police and civilian components.

“A standby force earns credibility not only through the missions it undertakes, but through the confidence it inspires before deployment becomes necessary,” Gen Kainerugaba said.

The CDF announced that Uganda will meet its financial obligations to the EASF and urged member states to develop practical, sustainable solutions to the force’s funding needs.

The EASF Director, Brigadier General Ronald Rwivanga, said the meeting would consider several issues aimed at strengthening the organisation’s governance, sustainability and operational effectiveness.

Brig Gen Rwivanga observed that changes in the financing and conduct of peace support operations meant African institutions would increasingly have to assume greater responsibility for peace and security on the continent.

“The question before us, therefore, is not whether EASF has a mandate. The question is whether we are collectively prepared to make that mandate a reality,” he said.

Brig. Gen. Rwivanga also called for the convening of the EASF Summit of Heads of State and Government, which he said had not met since 2014 despite provisions requiring regular meetings.

He said the summit would provide renewed political commitment, strategic direction and collective ownership of the force at the highest level.

The three-day meeting in Kampala is expected to consider strategic decisions to strengthen the EASF as a credible, responsive, and self-reliant regional mechanism for addressing emerging peace and security challenges in Eastern Africa.