PRESS STATEMENT Entebbe, Thursday October 1, 2026 Uganda to Host Inaugural Conference on Military Operations Other Than War The Chief of Defence Forces and Senior Presidential Advisor for Special Operations, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba will next week host Chiefs of Defence Forces from 14 African countries, commanders of peace support missions on the continent, representatives from the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA), and executives of regional political and economic community organizations. The four day conference organized by the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs/UPDF will take place at Speke Resort Munyonyo from 5-8 October 2026. The key themes to be discussed during the 4-day conference are transnational threats, cyber security and artificial intelligence, unmanned aerial systems, peace support operations, gender mainstreaming, climate change, disaster management, natural resources management, military support to civil authorities, maritime and border security, space and environmental security, critical infrastructure, disease pandemics, external influence, and legal and ethical accountability. Countries and organizations that have so far confirmed participation are Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mali, Rwanda, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, the African Union, East African Standby Force (EASF), East African Community (EAC), Inter Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD), North African Regional Capability (NARC), and Economic Community of West African States Commission (ECOWAS). Forces Commanders of AUSSOM (Somalia), MONUSCO (DRC), UNISFA (Abyei, South Sudan), and UNIMIS (Juba, South Sudan). More confirmation of invited countries and organizations are expected. Uganda’s position on the key conference themes reflect its dual role as the host country and a nation with significant expertise in peace support operations, counter terrorism, counterinsurgency, border security, disaster response, and civil military cooperation. The fundamental assertion is that Africa’s emerging security threats cannot be mitigated solely through military force, but the employment of the whole of society and government approach. Consequently, Uganda is committed to promoting an African, preventive, cooperative, and human-security-focused approach to Military Operations Other Than War (MOOTW). General Muhoozi Kainerugaba this afternoon held a final planning meeting on the upcoming conference of the strategic and technical committees at the SFC headquarters in Entebbe. CHRIS MAGEZI Colonel Acting Director Defence Public Information Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs/UPDF