General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the Chief of Defence Forces, engaged in discussions with General Yoshihide Yoshida, the Chief of Staff of the Japan Self-Defence Force, at the Ministry of Defence Headquarters in Ichigaya, Tokyo.
Their conversation focused on enhancing military collaboration between their nations. This visit marks a historic moment, as Gen. Kainerugaba is the first Ugandan Chief of Defence Forces to travel to Japan, a gesture that has been warmly received by the Japanese.
This meeting follows a previous encounter with Japan’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Fujii Hisayuki, who reiterated Japan’s dedication to bolstering bilateral ties, emphasizing the importance of recent high-level visits.
During the meeting, Gen Kainerugaba, who also serves as the Senior Presidential Adviser on Special Operations, expressed appreciation for Japan’s ongoing support in infrastructure and education.
A statement from Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs highlighted Minister Fujii’s desire to enhance bilateral cooperation in anticipation of the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9), set to occur in Yokohama from August 20 to 22, 2025.
The leaders also exchanged perspectives on Japan’s international security landscape, with Minister Fujii providing insights into the country’s security strategies. Together, they discussed initiatives aimed at fostering peace and stability in the Horn of Africa region.
