MPs on the Committee on Defence and Internal Affairs held a two-day induction workshop at Speke Resort Munyonyo, Kampala, to equip its members with knowledge and information on how the committee operates and influences legislation.

The workshop was chaired by the Chairperson of the Committee, Robinah Rwakoojo, the Member of Parliament for Gomba West Constituency.

Rwakoojo said the induction was meant to remind members of their mandate and jurisdiction, concerns on regional peace and security obligations and external deployments by the UPDF.

“This induction is going to help the Committee in terms of mandate, oversight and committee work. It is going to help us in our investigative work. It has helped us to know how we have cooperation in the region and it has helped us to know how security is handled very well,” said Rwakoojo.

The UPDF Representative on the Committee of Defence and Internal Affairs, and Commander Reserve Force, Maj Gen Joseph Musoke Ssemwanga, said the induction showed how the committee should relate with various Ministries, Departments and Agencies and with security organs in Uganda.

He said any action by a Member of Parliament can easily injure the security of Uganda. “…this two-day training is very vital in terms of equipping members with security knowledge.”

He added: “Members of Parliament can interact or ask members of security in principle without necessarily being confrontational. Members have learnt that they should not bring their personal problems to the security personnel.”

Representing the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs, Brig Gen Nicholas Humble Nyesiga, while speaking to the Committee on the issue of regional security in Africa, said regional security refers to the collective efforts of States and regional organisations to manage shared threats that transcend national borders, including armed conflict, terrorism, transnational crime and political instability.

He said within the Great Lakes Region, regional security is shaped by protracted conflicts, weak state institutions and cross-border insurgencies.

In Eastern Africa, Nyesiga said, security dynamics are further complicated by resource-based conflicts, maritime insecurity and violent extremism, particularly from groups such as Al-Shabaab.

“Apart from challenges of political instability, the region continues to grapple with insecurity emanating from terrorism, activities of negative armed groups, proliferation of small arms, refugee influx, pandemics as well as transnational and cross-border crimes, among others.

“Regional mechanisms, including the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) and the East African Community (EAC), play critical roles in conflict prevention, peacekeeping, and coordination,” said Brig Gen Nyesiga.

He further highlighted that Uganda’s geo-political location in the Great Lakes Region exposes her to cross-border conflicts, while its shallow strategic depth limits defensive flexibility, necessitating forward security engagement.

“As a landlocked country reliant on regional stability for trade, Uganda’s participation in African Union-led frameworks reinforces collective security, thus ensuring peace, stability and fulfilment of its international obligations.

“Therefore, the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) actively engages in regional security operations to safeguard Uganda’s national interests within a fragile neighbourhood,” he said.

Threats to regional security

Brig Gen Nyesiga underscored that currently, the region is entangled in a web of conflicts that have affected livelihoods, especially in DRC, South Sudan, Sudan and Somalia, leading to humanitarian crises, economic disruption and creating ungoverned spaces which are a breeding ground for instabilities.

He said the UPDF has contributed through joint operations, peacekeeping and counter-terrorism against ADF and Al-Shabaab, and by enhancing intelligence sharing and military coordination.