Minister of Defense and Veterans Affairs Hon.Vincent Bamulangaki Ssempijja today met with the Deputy Manager for Africa at the European Union External Service; H.E Benard Quintin.
The meeting was held at the Ministry of Defense and Veterans Affairs (MODVA) headquarters in Mbuya, Kampala; aimed at strengthening cooperation in the areas of peace and security, especially in the high seas region.
Hon Ssempijja thanked the European Union for its continuous support to achieve a peaceful and secure Africa.
He reaffirmed Uganda’s position that the deployment of the East African Regional Force (ECRF) as agreed by the East African leaders in 2022 is still key in fighting the evil forces in the region, especially in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). where the evils have caused the effects of spreading insecurity in the neighboring provinces.
“We in Uganda, believe that the East African family, the East African Regional Force is the best solution needed to achieve lasting peace in Africas Great Lakes Region,” Hon Ssempijja observed.
In his remarks, H.E Quintin said that a prosperous future for the region and its people depended on creating a safe and secure environment.
“For the sake of the suffering people and the economic development of the region, the key is to silence the guns and bring peace to the region. Without peace, there is no development and without development, there is no peace,” H.E Quintin stressed.
Speaking at the same meeting, MODVA Permanent Secretary Ms. Rossette Byengoma urged regional partner countries to build mutual understanding and trust, increase dialogue and consultation with development partners in order to promote common development and ‘development in this area so that the benefits of development reach more people.
The two sides agreed to further strengthen cooperation and work for common development in the region and beyond.
The meeting was also attended by senior UPDF officers and representatives from the EU