The Turkish military is offering to train soldiers of the Ugandan Army, as well as the country’s special forces.
The Turkish government is set to approve a Military Training Cooperation Agreement with Uganda, aiming to establish a framework for military training and cooperation. Signed in Ankara on September 13, 2022, the agreement awaits ratification by Turkey’s parliamentary Foreign Affairs Committee and endorsement by the General Assembly.
Under this agreement, military personnel from Uganda will engage in exchange programs, joint exercises, and specialized training in areas such as mine and IED combat, communications, and cyber defense. Intelligence training is also included, reflecting the depth of the military relationship between the two nations.
The agreement covers officers, noncommissioned officer cadets, special sergeants, rank-and-file personnel, and civilian staff of the Ugandan Armed Forces, along with their dependents. This initiative is part of Turkey’s ongoing efforts to foster military relations with African nations, a policy that has seen significant development since the 1990s.
Historically, the military cooperation between Turkey and Uganda was formalized in 1996. The relationship was further highlighted by the visit of Ugandan Defense Minister Bright Rwamirama to Ankara in December 2019, where discussions on bilateral military and defense industry cooperation took place.
The Ugandan military’s participation in the EFES-2024 exercise in Istanbul, one of the Turkish Armed Forces’ largest drills, is a testament to the growing military ties. The exercise provided an opportunity for Ugandan forces the People’s Defence Force (UPDF) of Uganda, with an estimated strength of 40,000 to 45,000 members, stands to benefit significantly from this cooperation. Turkey’s commitment to training and equipping the UPDF is indicative of its intention to forge a strong alliance with Uganda’s future military leadership.
Turkey’s defense industry, having seen substantial investment in recent years, is actively exploring new markets in Africa. With bilateral agreements already in place with 14 African countries, Turkey is expanding its influence in military training, industrial production, and defense equipment procurement and maintenance.
The Turkish Defense Ministry has been proactive in showcasing the success of its training programs, particularly with Somali officers and soldiers. The Turkish Task Force Command in Somalia, Turkey’s largest overseas military base, has been instrumental in restructuring the Somali army, with around 5,000 Somali soldiers and officers trained to date.
This training initiative with Uganda is expected to bolster Turkey’s strategic presence in Africa and pave the way for increased cooperation in defense and security, benefiting both nations in their pursuit of stability and development.
While the Military Training Cooperation Agreement between Turkey and Uganda has practical implications for both countries’ armed forces, it also reflects broader geopolitical interests. As Turkey seeks to expand its defense industry footprint in Africa, Uganda stands to gain valuable expertise and capacity-building through this collaboration.