General Katumba Wamala giving a lecture at the Rwanda Defence Forces Command and Staff
The Chief of Uganda Peoples Defence Forces (UPDF), Gen. Katumba Edward Wamala has said that collective mechanisms are needed in addressing regional security and development.
Gen. Wamala said this yesterday, while delivering a lecture on “Contemporary Security Dynamics in the Great Lakes Region to Senior Command and Staff students at Rwanda Defence Forces Command and Staff College in Nyakinama, Musanze District in Northern Province.
“The Great Lakes Region has witnessed some of the most intense violence and protracted conflicts for the last half century. Security and development go hand in hand,” he said.
Wamala indicated that going for the root causes of the conflicts is key to have a stable region.
The UPDF highlighted key elements that need to be fully maintained in restoring regional security including; respect for human rights, rule of law and democratic governance; enabling environment for trade, protection of environment, strong institutions, regional integration, sharing of intelligence, expedite formation of East Africa Peace and Security Council; social, economic, political, economic and diplomatic means to solve conflicts among others have to be considered as crucial for sustainable peace and development of the region.
General Wamala paid a courtesy call on Rwanda Chief of Defence Staff General Patrick Nyamvumba
Lt Col. Robert Mulayi, a student from Kenya told journalists that security challenges have to be solved by Africans without waiting for external support.
“We need to solve our own problems,” he challenged.
During his tour of the Country, UPDF chief paid a courtesy call on Rwanda Chief of Defence Staff, Gen.Patrick Nyamvumba, where the two discussed a number of issues concerning regional security, among others.
Located in Nyakinama, Musanze district, RDF senior Command and Staff College offers courses to senior staff and command officers from the ranks of major to colonel.
According to RDF officials, the facility was established in partnership with Fort Leavenworth College and the UK’s Joint Services Command and Staff College.