Africa-Press – Uganda. Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja has said disaster preparedness is a non-negotiable national priority, emphasising the government’s obligation to safeguard lives and property through proactive planning and coordinated response systems.
Nabbanja made the remarks while officiating at the closing ceremony of a two-week disaster management field training exercise, code-named Okoa Maisha 26, conducted by the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces under the Headquarters Uganda Rapid Deployment Capability (HQ URDC) at Buginyanya NARO Farm in Bulegeni Sub-county, Bulambuli District.
“Disaster preparedness is a national obligation and a necessity, not an option, because the safety of our people comes first. It is therefore the responsibility of the state to build capacity through such exercises,” Nabbanja said.
She commended the UPDF and partner agencies for organising the exercise in the Elgon region, an area frequently affected by landslides that have caused significant loss of life and property.
The exercise, held under the theme “Strengthening multi-sectoral resilience and local action on sustainable disaster response and management through integrated leadership and command,” brought together multiple agencies to test and enhance coordination in emergency situations.
Minister for Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Refugees Hillary Onek said the UPDF has become central to disaster response, working alongside other security agencies, government institutions, and non-governmental organisations.
He noted that government programmes are ongoing to relocate communities affected by landslides and floods in the Elgon sub-region to safer areas.
State Minister for Defence and Veteran Affairs Huda Oleru Abason said the exercise had strengthened both the practical and intellectual capacity of participants, enabling them to translate theory into real-world action.
In a message delivered on behalf of Chief of Defence Forces Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Deputy Commander Land Force Maj Gen Joseph Ssemwanga urged troops to remain ready for complex disaster scenarios.
“You have trained to confront chaos, flooded villages, collapsed buildings and wildfires. In disaster, your calm is contagious and your competence saves lives,” the message read.
Maj Gen Ssemwanga, who also served as exercise director, said Bulambuli District was selected due to its vulnerability to landslides, stressing that effective disaster management requires a coordinated, multi-sectoral approach.
Commander URDC and Exercise Chief Controller Brig Gen Ernest Nuwagaba highlighted the constitutional role of the UPDF in supporting civil authorities during emergencies.
“As President Yoweri Museveni has emphasised, the UPDF’s role in health, education and disaster response is part of its duty to cooperate with civilian authorities,” he said.
Nuwagaba added that the exercise successfully progressed from tabletop simulations and command post drills to full-scale field operations.
Bulambuli Resident District Commissioner George Maguda described the exercise as a major boost for the district and the wider Elgon region, noting that a medical outreach conducted alongside the training treated more than 2,000 civilians.
Vincent Wabuya, representing the Bamasaba cultural institution, welcomed the initiative and pledged continued community support for government-led programmes.
The exercise brought together senior military officers and representatives from various agencies, underscoring Uganda’s growing emphasis on preparedness and coordinated response as climate-related disasters and environmental risks continue to rise.
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