By Dr. Kivumbi Earnest Benjamin, L. H. D. (Hon.) Updated at 1550 EAT on 30th November 2025

ENTEBBE- At the Special Forces Command Headquarters in Entebbe, a quiet but significant diplomatic moment unfolded as Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, met with the Ambassador of Belgium to Uganda, H.E. Hugues Chantry. The meeting—held against a backdrop of long-standing ties between Kampala and Brussels—highlighted both nations’ desire to strengthen security cooperation and reaffirmed Belgium’s role as a long-term partner in Uganda’s development.

A Meeting Rooted in Historic Ties

For decades, Uganda and Belgium have maintained cordial diplomatic relations anchored in development cooperation, governance support, trade, and regional security. Belgium remains one of Europe’s notable contributors to Uganda’s development agenda, particularly through the Belgian Development Agency (Enabel), whose work focuses on sectors such as education, skilling, public health, justice reform, and climate-resilient agriculture.

Bilateral relations have also evolved to include collaboration in peace and security, with Belgium consistently supporting regional stabilization efforts in the Great Lakes region. Belgium’s strategic interest in the Horn of Africa and the Great Lakes aligns closely with Uganda’s frontline role in addressing security threats—ranging from terrorism to conflict-related instability.

It is within this context of mutual interest and shared priorities that the latest engagement between the two countries takes on added significance.

Strengthening Defence and Security Cooperation

During the meeting, Gen. Kainerugaba emphasized the need to not only sustain but expand the already strong relationship between Uganda and Belgium.

He highlighted Uganda’s contributions to regional peace operations, including:

• The African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), where Uganda remains a key troop-contributing country.
• Operation Shujaa in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, jointly conducted with the DRC government to neutralize armed groups.
• Peacebuilding and capacity-strengthening support in South Sudan, aimed at consolidating stability in Africa’s youngest nation.

“These are regional threats that transcend borders,” Gen. Kainerugaba noted, stressing that global partnerships—such as those with Belgium—are essential in dealing with the shifting dynamics of modern conflict.

Belgium Reaffirms Commitment

Ambassador Chantry, accompanied by Belgium’s Defence Advisor to Uganda, Col. Michel Recour, and other senior officials, reaffirmed his country’s appreciation of Uganda’s role as a regional stabilizer. He praised the “excellent and longstanding relationship” between the two nations and pledged that Belgium would continue to explore avenues for deeper defence, diplomatic, and development cooperation.

Belgium’s growing engagement in Uganda, particularly through Enabel’s multi-million-euro country programs, reflects its broader commitment to supporting peace, resilience, and institutional strengthening in East Africa.

Looking Ahead

As the meeting concluded, both delegations reiterated a shared determination to advance cooperation—not only in security but across the spectrum of bilateral relations. New areas of collaboration, including defence training, counter-terrorism partnerships, and joint regional analyses, were identified as possible fronts for future engagement.

For Uganda, Belgium remains a reliable partner with both historical ties and contemporary relevance. For Belgium, Uganda continues to stand as a key player in regional security and a gateway to understanding the evolving geopolitical landscape of the Great Lakes and the Horn of Africa.

In Entebbe, the handshake between Gen. Kainerugaba and Ambassador Chantry symbolized more than diplomatic courtesy—it signalled the continued weaving of a partnership shaped by shared security priorities, mutual respect, and a common vision for regional stability.