Defence experts from all six East African Community (EAC) member states have concluded a three-day regional workshop in Kampala aimed at developing Civil–Military Cooperation (CIMIC) guidelines to strengthen coordination in peace support, humanitarian, and disaster response operations.
The Defence Experts Working Group workshop, hosted by the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF), was held from January 28 to 30, 2026, and brought together delegates, liaison officers, and technical experts from across the region.
Closing the workshop, Maj Gen James Kinalwa, Joint Staff for Human Resource Management, praised participants for their commitment and collaborative approach, noting that the exercise marked a significant step toward harmonised regional operations.
“The collective expertise shared here demonstrates the importance of regional cooperation in addressing complex and evolving challenges,” Maj Gen Kinalwa said.
He emphasised that Civil–Military Cooperation remains a critical component of modern peacekeeping, particularly in humanitarian assistance and disaster response, adding that the newly developed guidelines will improve coordination and operational effectiveness among EAC defence forces.
Maj Gen Kinalwa said the guidelines will also enhance communication, mutual respect, and shared responsibility between the military, international organisations, and local communities during joint operations.
“The outcome of this workshop will positively shape future CIMIC operations within the region and beyond,” he said.
Earlier, the workshop chairperson, Col Tobias of the Kenya Defence Forces, commended delegates for their professionalism and teamwork throughout the engagement.
“The level of commitment and cooperation demonstrated by all participants throughout this workshop reflects our shared dedication to effective civil–military coordination,” Col Tobias said.
The workshop reaffirmed the EAC’s commitment to strengthening regional defence cooperation through harmonised CIMIC frameworks designed to support peace support missions, humanitarian interventions, and disaster management efforts.