Uganda Pledges Support to Central African Republic's Military Development Efforts

General Wilson Mbasu Mbadi, the Chief of Defence Forces of Uganda, has reaffirmed Uganda's commitment to assisting the Central African Republic (CAR) in implementing key areas of cooperation outlined in a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the two nations in January 2024.

Speaking during a meeting with CAR's Minister of National Defence and Army Reconstruction, His Excellency Claude Rameaux Bireau, Gen Mbadi emphasized Uganda's willingness to share its military expertise with the Central African Armed Forces (FACA), particularly through training initiatives. He highlighted Uganda's own journey of building a formidable army from scratch, citing it as a testament to the transformative power of political will and dedication to peace and security.

Minister Bireau echoed Gen Mbadi's sentiments, emphasizing the importance of South-to-South cooperation in promoting regional stability and development. He commended Uganda for its steadfast commitment to the MoU and expressed gratitude for the training opportunities extended to CAR's military personnel by the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF).

The MoU, rooted in the Pan-African ideology, reflects the mutual desire of both nations' leaders to strengthen military cooperation and foster security sector reform. Minister Bireau underscored the pivotal role of security in driving development, highlighting the need for continued collaboration between Uganda and CAR.

The meeting, held at the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs Headquarters in Mbuya, was attended by high-ranking military officials from both Uganda and CAR, including the Chief of Military Intelligence, Maj Gen James Birungi, and the CAR delegation led by Brig Gen Arcadius Betibangui.