President Yoweri Museveni has called on African defence leaders to view national security alongside economic development, political cohesion and regional cooperation, saying strong economies are essential to building effective and sustainable defence forces.
Museveni made the remarks while closing the inaugural African Conference of Chiefs of Defence Forces on Military Operations Other Than War at Speke Resort Munyonyo in Kampala.
He said African countries cannot separate defence and security from efforts to create wealth, expand markets and strengthen economic resilience.
“A country cannot have a strong and safe defence force without a strong economy,” Museveni said.
He urged African governments to prioritise commercial agriculture, industrialisation, services and information and communications technology as avenues for wealth creation.
Museveni also pointed to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and regional integration as important tools for expanding markets and strengthening Africa’s economic base.
Security threats are changing
The president said African defence forces must also adapt to emerging and non-traditional security threats while taking a broader role in supporting peace and national development.
The conference focused on Military Operations Other Than War, covering security challenges that go beyond conventional warfare and require closer coordination among defence, intelligence and other institutions.
Museveni said security and prosperity should be treated as interconnected objectives rather than separate policy areas.
“Security and prosperity go together,” he said.
His remarks come as African militaries face an increasingly complex security environment involving terrorism, cyber threats, organised crime, humanitarian emergencies, pandemics and other challenges that can affect national stability without necessarily amounting to conventional warfare.
Defence chiefs meet in Uganda
The Kampala conference brought together defence chiefs, intelligence chiefs and force commanders from across Africa to discuss military operations beyond traditional combat roles and ways of strengthening cooperation.
Museveni thanked the visiting security leaders for travelling to Uganda and participating in the conference.
“I thank all the visiting Defence Chiefs, Intelligence Chiefs and Force Commanders for coming to Uganda and participating in this important conference,” he said, wishing them a good stay in the country.
The meeting provided a platform for African military leaders to exchange experiences on how armed forces can respond to evolving security challenges while contributing to peace, resilience and national development.
For Uganda, the conference also underscored Kampala’s push for greater regional and continental cooperation on security alongside economic integration.
