The week-long disaster response and management exercise, code-named “OKOA MAISHA,” has today concluded at the Uganda Rapid Deployment Capability Headquarters in Jinja.
On behalf of the Prime Minister, Rt Hon. Robinah and the Chief of Defence Forces, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Major General Bob Ogiki, commended the facilitators, participants, and experts for their contributions in sharing knowledge and experiences in disaster management.
He urged all security forces and stakeholders to prioritise collaboration in disaster management, emphasising the importance of strengthening communication, sharing resources, and implementing best practices learned during the exercise.
“I urge each of you to take the knowledge and skills you have acquired and share them within your respective agencies and communities,” he said.
Maj Gen Ogik observed that the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces, with support from its partners, has developed capabilities to handle a wide range of disasters, both natural and man-made and is ready for deployment.
He emphasised that lessons learned should be as practical as possible, calling for a shift towards proactive disaster management rather than reactive measures.
The Exercise Director, Brig Gen Earnest Nuwagaba, who also serves as the Commander Uganda Rapid Deployment Capability, commended participants for their dedication.
“This was a seven-day exercise meant to test and validate the readiness and capability of HQ-URDC in responding to emerging disasters,” he stated.
He noted that the East African region is prone to disasters, making it essential for URDC to organise such exercises to enhance collaboration and synergy in disaster management.
Brig Gen (Rtd) Fred Rugadya Akiiki, the Head of the National Emergency Coordination and Operations Center in the Prime Minister’s Office and the Exercise Head of Mission, informed the Chief Guest that the exercise scenario, conducted in Buluganya Sub-County, Bulambuli District, was a success as it accurately depicted real-life disaster situations.
He added that participants were drawn from multiple government agencies, including the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces, the Office of the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Works and Transport, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Uganda Police Force, the Uganda Prisons Service, the Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control, and the Uganda Red Cross Society.
Among those present were Brig Gen Chris Ogwal, Commandant Junior Staff College; Brig Gen Flavia Byekwaso, Chief of Staff – URDC; Brig Gen Micheal Ssozi Ssesanga, Commandant of the Non-Commissioned Officers Academy and Exercise Controller; Brig Gen Saad Katemba, UPDF Director of Training; Senior Superintendent of Police Bosco Arop, Deputy Commandant of the Police Senior Command and Staff College Bwebaja; Ms. Amanda Magambo, Head of the Civilian Component; and Air Commodore Kedar Thaaka, Director of the National Forensic University – Uganda Campus, among others.
