Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, arrived in Libreville, Gabon, on Saturday to participate in the nation’s 66th Independence Day celebrations. The visit, undertaken at the invitation of Gabonese President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, marks a significant step in strengthening the strategic and diplomatic ties between Kampala and Libreville.
Gen. Kainerugaba was greeted upon arrival by a high-level Gabonese delegation, including Minister of Defence Brig. Gen. Brigitte Onkanowa and the Chief of General Staff of the Gabonese Armed Forces, Gen. Jean-Bédel Bouka. The event commemorates Gabon’s 1960 transition from French colonial rule to sovereign statehood.
The Ugandan CDF is accompanied by a delegation that includes State Minister for Agriculture Desire Muhooza, Joint Staff–Political Commissariat Maj. Gen. Henry Masiko, and Joint Staff Training and Doctrine Brig. Gen. Wycliff Keita.
### Strengthening Bilateral Defense Cooperation
The visit serves as a continuation of recent diplomatic outreach between the two nations. President Nguema, who also serves as the Supreme Commander of Gabon’s Defence and Security Forces, previously traveled to Uganda in August 2024 to engage in bilateral discussions with President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. Those talks focused on a broad spectrum of cooperation, including trade, tourism, health, and regional security. President Nguema later visited Kampala in May 2026 to attend President Museveni’s inauguration.
According to military reporting from the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), the current visit by Gen. Kainerugaba is intended to deepen the strategic partnership between the two countries. While the primary focus of the trip is the Independence Day anniversary, the Ugandan delegation is scheduled to conduct bilateral engagements on the sidelines of the celebrations. These sessions are expected to address military collaboration and shared perspectives on regional security challenges.
As of Saturday, both delegations are preparing for the formal commemorative proceedings in Libreville, with follow-up discussions on security cooperation expected to conclude in the coming days.
