The African Chiefs of Defence Conference 2025 (ACHOD25) kicked off in Nairobi, Kenya, bringing together some of the continent's top military leaders to discuss common security threats.
Kenyan President William Ruto officially opened the event, which is co-hosted by the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) and the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF).
Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, was represented by Commander of Land Forces, Lt. Gen. Kayanja Muhanga, who shared Uganda’s experience fighting terrorism across the region.
Uganda is a key player in regional security with troops deployed in Somalia, the Central African Republic, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and other neighbouring countries to combat rebels and terrorists.
Gen. Muhanga was accompanied by Brig. Gen. McDans Kamugira, Uganda’s defence advisor in Kenya.
Meanwhile, reports indicate the United States is reviewing the future of AFRICOM.
African military chiefs submitted their views on a possible merger of AFRICOM with the U.S. European Command with the view of reducing bureaucracy.
AFRICOM was created as a separate command in 2008 to respond to growing U.S. security interests in Africa, such as Islamist insurgencies and geopolitical competition with China and Russia. Before that, U.S. military operations in Africa were overseen by other regional commands.
However, the U.S. has recently seen its security influence weaken in some countries, including Niger, where it was ordered to withdraw nearly 1,000 troops and close a $100 million drone base.
This year’s conference, held under the theme 'Strengthening African Security: Sustaining Unity of Effort,' underscored the importance of cooperation and partnerships to tackle cross-border security threats.
Kenya is the second African nation after Botswana to host ACHOD, which brings together senior policymakers, military leaders, security experts, and bilateral partners to discuss current security challenges and seek lasting solutions.