Ugandan military visits Kenya on benchmarking mission

Benchmarking tour comes amid warnings by President Yoweri Museveni that East Africa could face future conflicts over Idian Ocean

by SHARON MWENDE

News13 November 2025 - 12:39

In Summary

The UPDF team was led by Deputy Commander Land Force Major General Francis Takirwa, and received by DEFWES Managing Director Brigadier Peter Limo, who provided a comprehensive overview of Kenya’s military welfare framework.
His briefing highlighted the establishment and functions of DEFWES, veterans’ support programs, cooperative societies, and income-generating initiatives that empower service members and their families.

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A delegation from the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) has conducted a benchmarking visit to Kenya’s Defence Forces Welfare Services (DEFWES), aiming to enhance the welfare and well-being of military personnel and their families across the region.

The visit, which began at DEFWES Headquarters at Moi Air Base, Eastleigh, Nairobi, focused on sharing knowledge and best practices on welfare programs, housing, healthcare, education and post-service support for service members.

The UPDF team was led by Deputy Commander Land Force Major General Francis Takirwa and received by DEFWES Managing Director Brigadier Peter Limo, who provided a comprehensive overview of Kenya’s military welfare framework.

His briefing highlighted the establishment and functions of DEFWES, veterans’ support programs, cooperative societies, and income-generating initiatives that empower service members and their families.

During the visit, the delegation paid a courtesy call on Commander Kenya Air Force Major General Bernard Waliaula, who encouraged the visitors to identify practices that could strengthen welfare systems in their own formations.

The team also toured the DEFWES warehouse and DEFWES Mall in Embakasi, gaining practical insights into the institution’s operational structure and service delivery.

Speaking during the visit, Major General Takirwa commended the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) for their structured and innovative welfare management.

He emphasised the importance of regional collaboration in improving the quality of life for military personnel across East Africa.

“Thank you, DEFWES officials, for your time in making us understand your Defence Welfare Service, and by the end of this trip we will emulate the knowledge and embrace the visit again,” he said.

Also in attendance were Defence Attaché to Uganda, Brigadier General Mc Kamugira, General Manager Defence Force Shop Uganda Limited (DEFSUL), Brigadier General Metland Bitumbika and DEFSUL Company Secretary, Major Seth Ngabirano.

The visit underscores growing military cooperation between Kenya and Uganda, particularly in improving welfare systems and sharing strategies to support service members and their families.

This comes amid warnings by President Yoweri Museveni that East Africa could face future conflicts if landlocked nations are denied access to the Indian Ocean.

Speaking during an interview on Tuesday, Museveni described any attempt to restrict sea access as “madness,” adding that such a move would pose a serious threat to regional peace and integration.

He said that for Uganda and other landlocked countries, the right to trade through coastal neighbours was not a privilege but an economic necessity.

“Blocking landlocked countries from access to the sea is madness. This is a matter that can even cause future wars,” Museveni said.

He warned that the restrictions on maritime trade could destabilise the East African Community (EAC) if not addressed through mutual cooperation.

Uganda relies heavily on Kenya’s Port of Mombasa and Tanzania’s Port of Dar es Salaam for the bulk of its imports and exports.