East African Community (EAC) defence forces staged a meeting and an expo in Kisumu in a bid to enhance relationship between the member countries and showcase what the defence industry can produce.
The meeting was aimed at identifying new avenues and examine areas of mutual interest in order to enhance defence industry cooperation and joint ventures among the member countries.
Among the member countries present during the expo at Kenya Shipyards Limited- Kisumu on Wednesday included Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi.
We were able to martial our partners from the region in a meeting to understand the contribution of the military towards national and regional development
General Benard Waliaula
EAC Defence Facilities Chairperson Gen. Sibomana Ignace from Burundi Defence Forces said the aim of the meeting was to explore and expanding cooperation in defence research and development.
KDF National Security Industries Director Maj. Gen. Benard Waliaula said the event provided an opportunity for the Kenya Defence Forces to showcase their industries in various fields including shipbuilding, ammunition, agricultural products among others.
“We were able to martial our partners from the region in a meeting to understand the contribution of the military towards national and regional development,” said Waliaula.
General Waliaula acknowledged the existing relations in various sectors that have enhanced the training of the officers in the member states.
Cooperation in this sector is extremely essential since we share potential threats and this is needed to ensure sustainable development, peace and security
General Sabith Muzeyi
Uganda Defence Forces Representative Maj. Gen. Sabith Muzeyi noted that the meeting and expo is timely as it shall help fast track defence cooperation in various sectors
“Cooperation in this sector is extremely essential since we share potential threats and this is needed to ensure sustainable development, peace and security,” he said.
MV Uhuru II
The expo comes ahead of the launch of MV Uhuru II which is set to start operating in May as the government moves in to exploit the full potential of the revamped Kisumu Port.
The 100-meter vessel which is being built by the Kenya Shipyard Limited was commissioned by retired President Uhuru Kenyatta in May 2021.
It has a capacity of carrying 22 wagons and has an estimated capacity of 2 million litres of crude oil per trip.
The vessel is expected to augment MV Uhuru 1 which was built in 1966 in shipment of oil and other goods to Uganda and Tanzania through Lake Victoria.
