Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has urged African defence leaders to recognise the close link between national security, economic strength and political cohesion, arguing that military strategy must increasingly serve broader development goals.
Speaking at the closing session of the African Defence Chiefs Conference in Kampala on the 8th of October 2026, Museveni told military leaders from more than 18 countries that their responsibility extends beyond preparing for conventional warfare. He said defence planners must understand the economic, political and geographical factors that can strengthen or undermine national security, and that economic prosperity should transcend tribal and religious identities.
The four-day conference, hosted by Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba at Speke Resort Munyonyo, focused on Military Operations Other Than War (MOOTW). Discussions covered the role of African armed forces in peacekeeping, disaster response, humanitarian assistance, maritime security, emergency management and international cooperation.
Museveni argued that national security is not determined solely by military capabilities, but also by markets, wealth creation and national unity. He told the gathering that countries and their populations depend on one another economically, making cooperation essential for both prosperity and security.
Gen Kainerugaba said the broader objective is to develop professional, adaptable and technologically capable armed forces that can protect national sovereignty while contributing to peace, stability, prosperity and human security. He noted that African militaries are increasingly being called upon to support law enforcement, provide humanitarian assistance, respond to disasters and manage emergencies.
Deputy Chief of Defence Forces Lt Gen Sam Okiding called for stronger intelligence-led, coordinated and proactive approaches to military operations beyond conventional warfare. He said African armed forces must adapt to a security environment where threats increasingly cross borders and emerge outside traditional battlefields, including terrorism, organised crime, border insecurity, climate-related emergencies and disease outbreaks.
Museveni stressed that military strategies must evolve to address these broader challenges. He said defence chiefs should consider how economic interdependence, market integration and political cohesion contribute to national and regional security. For Uganda, he argued, economic security and a pan-African market are essential to strengthening the continent’s defence capabilities.
The Kampala conference was the first gathering specifically focused on MOOTW at the level of African defence chiefs, according to organisers. It provided an opportunity for military leaders to exchange experiences and discuss approaches to non-combat operations, which have become an increasingly important part of the continent’s security response.
For African defence establishments, Museveni’s message underscores a shift from narrow, combat-focused doctrines to more comprehensive security concepts that integrate development, governance and regional cooperation. If adopted, this approach could reshape how African militaries plan, train and operate in the coming years.
As the conference concluded, the emphasis was clear: African security cannot be separated from African development. The challenge now is to translate this vision into doctrine, training and joint operations that reflect the complex realities of the continent’s security environment.
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