ENTEBBE – Uganda is considering a major strategic leap into the final frontier as its military leadership holds high-level talks with a United Arab Emirates defence contractor on cooperation in space security and the establishment of a dedicated aerospace base in the country.
The meeting between the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, and a high-level delegation from MIRA Aerospace of Abu Dhabi took place at the Special Forces Command (SFC) headquarters in Entebbe.
Gen Kainerugaba described the engagement as a demonstration of a “mutual desire to strengthen ties between Uganda and the United Arab Emirates.” He emphasized the critical importance of space capabilities for modern national security.
“Space capabilities are no longer a distant frontier but an essential domain for national security,” the CDF stated during the discussions. He noted that space defence and space-based telecommunications are now critical for safeguarding national sovereignty.
The visiting experts from MIRA Aerospace presented detailed proposals for the collaboration, which include a landmark project: the establishment of a dedicated aerospace base within Uganda. This facility is envisioned to serve as a regional hub for aerospace operations in East Africa, significantly elevating Uganda’s strategic profile.
To formalize this potential collaboration, the delegation is pursuing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Ugandan government.
The CDF expressed the Uganda People’s Defence Forces’ (UPDF) eagerness to learn about the advanced solutions MIRA Aerospace offers and confirmed that Uganda is keen to explore a strategic partnership founded on shared interests. This initiative marks a significant step in Uganda’s defence and technological modernization efforts.
