Uganda has begun preparations for a large-scale disaster response simulation exercise, “Okoa Maisha” (Swahili for Save Life), aimed at strengthening national and regional readiness for natural disasters, particularly in landslide-prone areas.
The upcoming Command Post Exercise, scheduled for August in Bulambuli District, builds on a Table-Top Exercise (TTX) held in March and will simulate coordinated emergency responses to natural calamities.
The planning phase kicked off with a conference at the Uganda Rapid Deployment Capability Headquarters (HQ URDC) in Gaddafi Barracks, Jinja.
“This is a preparatory conference that will lead us to a successful command post exercise,” said Brig Gen Earnest Nuwagaba, Commander HQ URDC and Director of the Exercise. “It demonstrates our capability to respond to any disaster, not only in Uganda but also in the region.”
The conference brought together senior officials from key government institutions and humanitarian agencies. Participating bodies included the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF), Uganda Police Force (UPF), Uganda Prisons Service, the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), and local government officials.
Among the attendees were Brig Gen Flavia Byekwaso, Chief of Staff HQ URDC; Brig Gen Michael Ssesanga, Commandant of the Non-Commissioned Officers Academy; Brig Gen Saad Katemba, Director Training Land Force; Senior Superintendent of Police Bosco Arop; Senior Superintendent of Prisons Asiimwe; Mr Gidoi Charles, Principal Assistant Chief Administrative Officer of Bulambuli District; and Kumakech Charles, First Management Officer in the Office of the Prime Minister.
The “Okoa Maisha” exercise seeks to improve coordination among security agencies, civil authorities, and humanitarian actors in managing disaster situations, with a specific focus on early warning systems, emergency response logistics, and community resilience in high-risk regions.
