Retired United States Army Lieutenant General Michael T. Flynn on Saturday met Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces and Senior Presidential Advisor for Special Operations, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, during a high-level engagement at the headquarters of the Special Forces Command in Entebbe.
The meeting highlighted growing international attention to Uganda’s military leadership and the expanding regional security role of the Uganda People’s Defence Force.
Gen Muhoozi welcomed the visiting American military veteran and scholar to Uganda and briefed him on the history and evolution of the UPDF.
During the discussions, he emphasised the army’s pan-African orientation and its commitment to regional stability through peacekeeping deployments and military cooperation with partners across Africa and beyond.
He noted that the UPDF has played a consistent role in promoting peace and security across the continent through joint operations, training programmes and collaboration with allied forces.
The Ugandan army currently participates in several regional security initiatives, including operations under the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia and bilateral counter-terrorism deployments aimed at combating extremist groups and stabilising conflict-prone regions.
Gen. Flynn commended Uganda’s military leadership and the contribution of the UPDF to maintaining stability within the country and the wider region.
He said Uganda’s social and economic progress over the years had been supported by the relative peace and security maintained by the country’s armed forces.
“With continued peace and strong military leadership, Uganda is well positioned to sustain its development trajectory,” Flynn said.
Flynn is regarded as a prominent military strategist and security expert whose career in the United States Army spanned more than three decades. During his service, he held a number of senior positions in intelligence and special operations and completed multiple overseas combat tours.
His career culminated in his appointment as Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency, where he served as the highest-ranking United States military intelligence officer.
Following his retirement from active military service, Flynn was appointed the 25th National Security Advisor to the 45th President of the United States, Donald J. Trump.
Beyond his military career, Flynn is also known as an author and scholar. He has written several books on security, geopolitics and intelligence, two of which have achieved bestseller status. He holds three master’s degrees and an honorary doctorate.
He currently serves as chairman of America’s Future, one of the oldest non-profit organisations in the United States focused on civic engagement and public policy.
Throughout his career, Flynn has received numerous military awards and decorations, as well as recognitions from law enforcement agencies, intelligence institutions and several non-profit organisations for his contributions to national security and public service.
Officials said Flynn is expected to hold further engagements with senior UPDF leaders and members of Uganda’s academic community during his visit.
The meeting at the Special Forces Command headquarters was also attended by the UPDF Chief of Joint Staff Jack Bakasumba and Col Allan Matsiko, the Assistant Chief of Defence Intelligence and Security in charge of Defence Engagements and International Affairs.
The discussions underscored Uganda’s continued efforts to strengthen defence partnerships and expand its role in regional and international security cooperation.
