Maj General Khalid Ismael Taha recently led an Egyptian military delegation on a high-level visit to Uganda, emphasizing the long-standing and growing cooperation between the two African nations.

During the visit, the delegation received a detailed briefing from Lt General Jack Sam Bakasumba, Chief of Joint Staff, on Uganda’s military history and evolution since its independence on October 9, 1962. The briefing highlighted major historical milestones, including the 1971 overthrow of President Milton Obote by Idi Amin Dada and the subsequent transformation of the Uganda Army into the Uganda Liberation Army in 1979.

Lt General Bakasumba also reviewed the 1981 elections, which triggered a guerrilla war leading to the rise of General (Rtd) Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and the establishment of the National Resistance Army, later renamed the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Force (UPDF) in 1995.

The delegation was briefed on Uganda’s ongoing commitment to Pan-Africanism, reflected in its active participation in regional peacekeeping missions in Somalia and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Uganda’s comprehensive military training programs, from basic training to the National Defence College, were also showcased.

Maj General Khalid Ismael Taha expressed appreciation for Uganda’s hospitality and emphasized that the visit aimed to deepen bilateral relations, foster economic and scientific cooperation, and strengthen security collaboration between Uganda, Egypt, and other African nations.

The visit underscores the historic ties between Uganda and Egypt and their shared dedication to African unity and regional peace.