MUNYONYO – Following a series of engagements for months, Uganda and Kenya have penned a security and defense agreement that would ensure safety and tranquility along the borderline of the two East African Community [EAC] Partner States.
The event that climaxed after a series of engagements was held at Speke Resort Munyonyo, in Kampala, with the Ugandan Minister for Defense and Veteran Affairs, Vincent Bamulangaki Ssempijja signing for Uganda, while Kenya’s Secretary for Defense Eugene Ludovic Wamalwa signed for his country.
Speaking after the signing of the agreement, Minister Ssempijja commended the technical teams of the two countries for developing a pact that would be accepted and adopted by the two countries for peace and tranquility in the region.
Ssempijja further said the development would address all the various threats ranging from the economic, political and social affairs as well as facilitating strategic responses in managing the threats.
“This strategic engagement is a result of the strategic vision of the two Presidents of Uganda and Kenya who implored us to fast track this framework in areas of general interest for the security of both Uganda and Kenya,” he added.
The Technical Experts Working Group – TEWG was constituted by the two countries as a culmination of multiple economic clashes that resulted into country business losses to merchandise and other commodities.
The two presidents, Uhuru Kenyatta and Yoweri Kaguta Museveni convened meetings that resulted in constituting a working group comprising of security experts, businessmen, negotiators, and other categories that were charged with the duty to produce a document that would promote sustainable peace and security.
Kenya’s Defense Secretary Wamalwa appreciated TEWG for the task accomplished, adding that in a meeting in Nairobi three months ago, there were fears that the task may not be completed in time.
He said signing the bilateral agreement as a framework on security cooperation was key to easing the long queues of trucks at the different border points.
“I am happy that the three things we discussed with Hon Ssempijja in Nairobi have come to fruition. The bilateral agreement on security cooperation, the long queues of trucks at border points, and having a meeting of defense Ministers in the region,” he remarked.
Wamalwa warned that with DR Congo joining the EAC economic Bloc, which now expands from the Indian Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean, issues such as terrorism and other implications of the expansion of the Community cannot be ignored.
The EAC Bloc has grappled with terrorism attacks for a couple of years now, with Kenya and Uganda suffering a great deal from the attacks of Somali-based terror group-Al-Shaabab.
Other treats include the Allied Democratic Forces reportedly based in DR Congo, now coupled together with other terror groups inside DR Congo like M23 and the multiple warlords in the vast African country.
The region is also faced with other security challenges like arms trafficking and proliferation of small arms in Karamoja and Turkana regions, along with other challenges rooted in cultural norms like cattle wrestling and nomadism
Uganda’s Deputy Chief of Defense Forces, Lt Gen Peter Elweru pledged to ensure that the army implements the treaty in its full entirety to ensure maximum cooperation and regional peace.
“Peace and Security are not only good for these two countries by the region at large for full social-economic transformation,” Elwelu noted.
The first draft of the treaty was developed in Nairobi by TEWG in February 2022 from the two parties, before it was sanctioned by the Chiefs of Defense Forces of the two states as well as the Defense Ministers.
Others in attendance included James Mutabazi UPDF Air forces undersecretary, Second Division Commander Brig Gen. Elias Okolong, Chief of Policy and Planning UPDF Col. David Tweheyo, and Deputy Chief of Legal Services Col. Moses Wandera among others.
Others from the Kenyan Government included First Counsel Kenya High Commission in Uganda Richard Mutwota, Under Secretary Ministry of Interior Coordination of National Government Maurice Okoth, First Counsel Ministry of Internal Affairs Dorothy Kamene, among others.
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