At the closing of the inaugural African Conference of Chiefs of Defence Forces on Military Operations Other Than War, President Yoweri Museveni urged African defence leaders to acknowledge the intrinsic bond between national security, economic strength, and political cohesion.
Speaking from Speke Resort Munyonyo, the Ugandan President emphasised that a robust defence force cannot be sustained without a strong economic foundation.
He encouraged member states to prioritise wealth creation via commercial agriculture, industry, services, and ICT, while expanding market access through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and regional integration.
Museveni also tasked defence forces with adapting to emerging and non-traditional security threats while playing an active role in peacebuilding and national development.
“Security and prosperity go together,” Museveni stated.
The President concluded by thanking the visiting Defence Chiefs, Intelligence Chiefs, and Force Commanders for attending the conference in Uganda, extending his best wishes for their stay in the host country.
