Uganda and Mali have formalized a military cooperation agreement aimed at enhancing regional security and countering shared security threats. The agreement was signed by Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, and his Malian counterpart, Maj. Gen. Oumar Diarra, during a ceremony at the Special Forces Command (SFC) headquarters in Entebbe. The partnership will focus on intelligence sharing, joint training exercises, and other defense initiatives to address security challenges faced by both nations.
Gen. Muhoozi highlighted that the agreement underscores a growing bond between Uganda and Mali, with the goal of improving stability and tackling security issues that affect both countries. “We aim to reinforce military cooperation and build on existing memoranda of understanding through collaborative defense initiatives,” Muhoozi said.
Maj. Gen. Diarra, who visited Uganda earlier in the year to attend the graduation of cadet officers, including 19 from Mali, emphasized the significance of this partnership. He noted that joint efforts would improve both nations’ capabilities to address pressing threats such as terrorism, insurgency, and organized transnational crime.
The leaders stressed the importance of regional collaboration in ensuring peace and stability. Mali, which has experienced political and security challenges in recent years, including the ousting of President Aboubakar Keita due to alleged failure to curb terrorism, has increasingly turned to international partnerships to bolster its defense. This new agreement with Uganda represents Mali’s ongoing commitment to strengthening military alliances across Africa.
