The Chief of Defence Forces, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has held talks with British High Commissioner to Uganda Lisa Chesney on strengthening military cooperation between Kampala and London, with discussions focusing on training, capacity building and regional security.
The meeting took place in Fort Portal on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, and brought together senior military and diplomatic officials from the two countries as they explored ways to deepen their longstanding defence relations.
According to Chris Magezi of the Defence Press Unit, the discussions covered several areas of mutual interest, including British support for Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) schools, professional development and technical training.
Other areas identified for cooperation included capacity building across different military disciplines, counter-terrorism operations, regional security and expanded military training programmes.
The engagement signals continued efforts by Uganda and the United Kingdom to strengthen their defence partnership through professional exchanges and enhanced military capabilities.
Chesney attended the meeting alongside Lieutenant Colonel Ash Wiseman, the British Defence Attaché to Uganda, highlighting the involvement of both diplomatic and military representatives in the discussions.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining regular engagements as part of efforts to advance cooperation and address shared security concerns.
The meeting also builds on a series of engagements between UPDF leadership and British officials aimed at sustaining bilateral defence relations.
It follows Kainerugaba’s recent visit to the United Kingdom, where he held high-level bilateral discussions as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen ties between the two countries.
Kainerugaba serves as the Chief of Defence Forces of the UPDF and Senior Presidential Advisor for Special Operations, placing him at the centre of Uganda’s military leadership and defence engagements with international partners.
Uganda and the United Kingdom have maintained diplomatic relations, with defence cooperation forming part of their broader bilateral engagement.
The latest meeting underscores the two countries’ stated intention to deepen military collaboration based on mutual respect and shared security interests.
While the Defence Press Unit did not disclose specific agreements or timelines arising from the Fort Portal meeting, the discussions identified training, institutional support and regional security as key areas for continued engagement.
The commitment to regular consultations is expected to provide a framework for further discussions between the two sides on military cooperation and security priorities.