Rwanda sends troops to participate in EAC military exercise in Uganda

A total of 150 troops of Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) and 36 Rwanda National Police members, were Friday sent to participate in the 12th East African Community Armed Forces Field Training Exercise (FTX), codenamed “Ushirikiano Imara 2022” in Uganda from 27th May to 16th June 2022.

The objective of the exercise is to promote the EAC integration agenda by enhancing joint state of readiness and interoperability of EAC partner States’ Armed Forces, Police, Civilian Components and other stakeholders in responding to complex security challenges.

The integrated mission will encompass; peace support operations, disaster management, counter terrorism and counter piracy.

The Division Commander, Mechanized Division, Maj Gen Wilson Gumisiriza, briefed the departing contingent on behalf of the RDF leadership reminding them to uphold RDF values of patriotism, honour, valour and integrity and also maintain discipline throughout the exercise.

The two-week long exercise is attended by 6 EAC member states’ armed forces, police personnel and civilians from Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda.

The exercise will be conducted in accordance with Article 2 of the EAC Protocol on Cooperation in Defence Affairs under the theme, “Promoting Peace, Security and Stability towards the East African Community Integration.”

Earlier this month, EAC Secretary General Dr. Peter Mathuki said the mission had attracted at least 1,533 participants across the Partner States and 10 observers from the newly admitted Democratic Republic of Congo.

The official opening ceremony is scheduled to take place on 3^rd June, 2022 with the closing ceremony or VIP scheduled for 10^th June, 2022.

The previous Field Training Exercise took place in November 2018 in the United Republic of Tanzania in Muheza District, Tanga.