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Food Studio unveils five new dining concepts at Colombo City Centre

Food Studio recently unveiled a refreshed line-up of five culinary concepts at Colombo City Centre’s (CCC) Dining Gallery, marking a significant milestone in the company’s evolution from a restaurant operator to a brand-focused food and beverage platform.

The launch brings together Primo, Hotel Manoli, Bamboo Boy, Kimono and Wide Eyes under one roof, creating a diverse dining destination designed to cater to a broad range of tastes, occasions and consumer preferences.

The revitalised Dining Gallery occupies Level 3 of Colombo City Centre and forms part of Food Studio’s wider strategy of developing distinctive, scalable food brands with long-term growth potential.

The opening signals a new chapter for Food Studio, which began its journey at CCC and has since expanded its portfolio through the development of proprietary concepts. While Primo was already operating at the location, Hotel Manoli has made its debut at CCC following its stint at One Galle Face Mall, while Bamboo Boy has been revamped and joined by new concepts Kimono and Wide Eyes.

The five-brand portfolio has been curated to offer a wider range of dining experiences, bringing together Middle Eastern cuisine, Southeast Asian flavours, Japanese-inspired offerings, specialty coffee and artisanal sandwiches in a single destination.

Food Studio Managing Director and Liberty Lands and Developments Group CEO Naveed Cader said the return to CCC’s Dining Gallery represents more than a relaunch.

‘CCC is where Food Studio’s journey began, and we firmly believe it remains at the heart of everything we continue to build. Returning to the Dining Gallery with this five-brand line-up is not simply a relaunch, it is an evolution,’ he said.

Cader noted that the company is increasingly focused on building strong brands rather than standalone outlets, with an emphasis on concepts that can scale across locations and potentially expand beyond Sri Lanka.

‘This is about building brands with long-term potential. We are investing in concepts that have a clear identity, strong customer appeal and the ability to grow sustainably. These five brands form the foundation of something we intend to take much further,’ he said.

The launch comes amid growing demand for curated dining experiences in Colombo, driven by changing consumer habits, increasing tourism arrivals and a greater appetite for quality food concepts that offer both convenience and variety.

Food Studio CEO Nadeem Rajabdeen said the company began as a platform for bringing together authentic food concepts before evolving into a portfolio of home-grown brands developed through direct investment in product development, branding and operational excellence.

‘Through that journey, we started developing our own brands. That has evolved into a sharper focus on fewer concepts, executed exceptionally well, with real investment in the product, the brand and how it scales,’ he said.

Rajabdeen explained that each concept was born from a distinct idea and market opportunity. Primo focuses on premium sandwiches and handcrafted fillings, Hotel Manoli offers Middle Eastern comfort food, Bamboo Boy delivers Southeast Asian hawker-style cuisine, Kimono showcases Japanese-inspired flavours and Wide Eyes serves as the group’s specialty coffee and patisserie brand.

He noted that the company remains committed to creating concepts that resonate with modern consumers while maintaining the flexibility to expand across multiple locations.

As Colombo’s food and beverage sector continues to evolve, Food Studio believes its focus on strong branding, operational consistency and scalable concepts will position the company to capitalise on emerging opportunities both locally and internationally.

With five distinct concepts now operating under one roof, the company is betting that the future of dining lies not only in serving good food but in building enduring brands that can stand the test of time.

BoardPAC appoints Chrishan Fernando as Vice President – Sales and Marketing

BoardPAC has appointed Chrishan Fernando as Vice President – Sales and Marketing, bringing onboard one of the region’s most respected ICT and business transformation leaders.

With more than 25 years of executive leadership experience across Fortune 50 companies, Chrishan has built a distinguished career leading high performing sales, marketing, and business development teams. His track record includes driving multimillion dollar growth initiatives, forging strategic partnerships, and consistently delivering exceptional business outcomes across diverse industries.

An MBA holder in Marketing, Certified Professional Marketer (Asia Pacific), and Certified Director from the Sri Lanka Institute of Directors, Chrishan blends academic rigor with hands on leadership excellence.

Chrishan began his international career at Compaq Computer in Singapore, managing South Asian markets. Following the HP merger, he returned to Sri Lanka and played a pivotal role in strengthening Hewlett Packard’s market presence. His leadership journey continued as he was headhunted by IBM to serve as Country General Manager, where he spearheaded the launch of new business verticals including software solutions and IBM Global Business Services.

At Dell Technologies, Chrishan served as Country Manager for Sri Lanka and Maldives, leading the company to market leadership across both consumer and commercial segments. He later expanded his enterprise expertise as Director Sales at Fiserv, deepening his capabilities in enterprise sales strategy, channel development, and regional market expansion.

Beyond his corporate leadership roles, Chrishan is a sought-after consultant in B2B sales enablement, advising organisations on strategic account management, contract and proposal development. He is also passionate about coaching teams and strengthening competitiveness in evolving markets.

Deeply committed to advancing Sri Lanka’s talent landscape, Chrishan brings a unique blend of global business insight and local market understanding to help organisations grow, innovate, and build trust across regions.

Commenting on his appointment, Chrishan Fernando said he is eager to leverage his international experience to support BoardPAC’s continued growth and expansion in key markets.

BoardPAC warmly welcomes Chrishan to its leadership team and looks forward to the global perspective, strategic depth, and transformative energy he brings as the company continues to strengthen its presence and deliver exceptional value to customers worldwide.

Coventry City Agree Club-Record Deal For Midfielder Caleb Yirenkyi

Premier League side, Coventry City, have reached an agreement with Danish outfit, FC Nordsjælland to sign Ghana midfielder, Caleb Yirenkyi, in what is set to become the biggest transfer in Danish Superliga history.

The deal is worth an initial pound 27 million, with a further pound 3 million in performance-related add-ons. Coventry are prepared to shatter their existing transfer record to secure the services of the highly-rated 20-year-old.

Yirenkyi is understood to have chosen Frank Lampard’s project at Coventry after being assured of a prominent role in the squad and regular first-team opportunities. The transfer is now subject only to a successful medical and the completion of contractual formalities before he signs a long-term deal.

The Ghana international is expected to travel to England in the coming days for his medical before being officially unveiled by the club later this week.

The transfer represents another major success for FC Nordsjælland, a club renowned for developing elite talent. The Danish side previously nurtured players such as Mohammed Kudus, Patrick Dorgu and Sindre Walle Egeli, all of whom have gone on to feature in the Premier League.

Yirenkyi earned widespread praise following an impressive campaign with Nordsjælland, registering two goals and six assists in 30 appearances across all competitions. His reputation was further enhanced after representing Ghana at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America.

Top regional banker Anil Shah joins Union Bank Board

Union Bank of Colombo PLC has appointed Anil Shah to its Board as a Non-Independent Non-Executive Director.

Shah is a distinguished banking professional and leadership consultant with over three decades of experience in banking, finance, strategic leadership and business management across Nepal and South Asia. He has held several prominent leadership positions in the banking sector, including serving as Chief Executive Officer of Nabil Bank Limited, Nepal’s leading private sector bank, and Chief Executive Officer of Mega Bank Nepal Limited. Prior to these appointments, he served as Head of Consumer Banking and Chief Operating Officer of Standard Chartered Bank Nepal Limited.

Shah currently serves as Chairperson of Lead Nepal Inc., a leadership development organisation focused on nurturing future leaders and promoting inclusive growth. He also serves as a Non-Executive Director of Nabil Bank Limited and is actively engaged as an advisor and mentor to several educational, social and sustainability-focused organisations, including Teach for Nepal and WWF Nepal. He is a former President of the Nepal Bankers’ Association and has contributed to public policy and investment promotion initiatives through his association with the Nepal Investment Board.

Throughout his career, Shah has received numerous accolades in recognition of his leadership and contributions to the banking industry, including the Manager of the Year 2008 award conferred by the Management Association of Nepal, Top CEO awards in 2005, 2006 and 2007 and Asia’s Idol 2007 recognition by the Asia News Network. Under his leadership, Nabil Bank was awarded Bank of the Year 2004 by The Banker magazine of the Financial Times Group.

Shah holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in International Business Finance from the George Washington University, USA, and a Master of Business Administration from the Faculty of Management Studies, University of Delhi, India. He has also completed Executive Education in Leadership for the 21st Century at the John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University.

Colo Colo Secure Special Permission For Cape Verde Star Vozinha

The Chilean Football Federation (ANFP) has granted a special exemption allowing Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha to wear his famous nickname on the back of his Colo Colo shirt despite league regulations requiring players to use their legal names.

The 40-year-old, whose full name is Josimar Jose Evora Dias, signed a six-month contract with the Chilean giants on Monday following his outstanding performances at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. ANFP rules generally prohibit the use of nicknames on playing shirts, but Colo Colo successfully appealed for an exception.

Speaking at his unveiling, Vozinha explained the personal significance of the name, which means ‘little granny’ in Portuguese.

‘It is the name I have used my entire life. In Cape Verde, it holds great significance and a rich history, and now it does globally as well,’ he said. ‘If my grandmother were alive today, I think she would be proud. I hope to keep using it for the rest of my career as a tribute.’

Vozinha has become one of football’s most inspiring stories after helping Cape Verde enjoy a remarkable World Cup debut. The veteran goalkeeper played a key role as his country earned their first-ever World Cup point against Spain and reached the knockout stages, where they pushed eventual finalists Argentina to extra time.

His heroic displays earned him a place in FIFA’s Team of the Tournament and sparked a surge in popularity, with his Instagram following growing from around 50,000 to nearly 30 million.

After spells in Slovakia, Angola, Moldova, Cyprus and Portugal, the experienced shot-stopper described his move to Chile’s most successful club as the pinnacle of his club career.

‘The decision was very clear,’ he said. ‘The World Cup was the best thing that ever happened to me in football, but that is in the past now. Representing Colo Colo, a massive club with a rich history, is the highlight of my club career.’

Rwanda suspends 10 Ugandan alcoholic brands

The Rwanda Food and Drugs Authority (RFDA) has “temporarily” suspended 10 Ugandan alcoholic beverages and ordered companies distributing them to recall the products from the market within three days or face tougher consequences.

The 10 Ugandan brands are part of 52 imported alcohol products that have been temporarily suspended on the Rwandan market over standards concerns.

The affected Ugandan products are: Bond 7 Whisky produced by Uganda Breweries Limited; Campfire Gin by John Distillers (U) Ltd; Club 5 Gin by Glorrie Industries Limited; Tembo Liqueur by Glorrie Industries Limited; X5 Gin by John Distillers (U) Ltd; Jonney’s Gin by John Distillers (U) Ltd; X5 Liqueur by John Distillers (U) Ltd; Pan Master Whisky by John Distillers (U) Ltd; X5 Whisky by John Distillers (U) Ltd; Gilbey’s Flavoured Gin by Uganda Breweries Ltd; and VandA Imp Cr Lqr by Uganda Breweries Ltd.

In an announcement dated August 5, RFDA said it had immediately suspended the importation of the alcoholic beverages.

‘Rwanda FDA instructs importers to immediately initiate a full recall of these products. Rwanda FDA instructs importers to immediately request respective distributors to recall the listed products from their clients, to return current stock and recall products to the importers,’ the announcement reads in part.

The RFDA instructed importers to submit recall reports within three days from the publication of the announcement. This means the importers must complete the recall of the alcohol products by the end of this week.

The suspension comes a week after Rwanda President Paul Kagame warned about alcohol consumption, which he says is killing young people in Rwanda.

‘As young people, we need you. We love you. But first and foremost, take care of yourselves. This religion of alcohol, I think people even recruit others into it. Alcohol is killing you. It’s killing young people. The older ones are already gone. It has killed so many older people like us. Others are already on that same path and seem unable to stop,’ Mr Kagame said at the Indangamirwa meeting on July 29 in Rwanda.

‘But I want to warn you and beg you: everything we have been talking about, what brought you here, and the plans we have for our country, this thing will kill you before you realise your ambitions,’ he added.

Days after President Kagame’s statement, RFDA closed a dozen factories manufacturing alcoholic beverages and barred the distribution of their products in Rwanda in the interest of public health.

Rwanda maintains some of the toughest measures against alcohol consumption. Bars and nightclubs are ordered to close at 1am from Monday to Friday. On weekends, they close at 2am.

Prosecution seeks more time to produce exhibits in 2018 Rakai school fire case

Prosecution has asked the court for more time to produce exhibits in the 2018 St. Bernard’s SS Mannya school fire that killed 10 students and injured others in Rakai District.

Appearing before Masaka High Court Resident Judge Lady Justice Victoria Nankintu Katamba on Wednesday, state prosecutor Deborah Itawu told court they could not present police exhibits that day and asked for more time.

The request came after the presentation of Goffin Butere, the police officer who investigated the inferno at St. Bernard’s SS Mannya. Court had on Tuesday ordered him to present exhibits which he said were seized from the house where the accused persons were staying.

Butere, who is now serving in Kyotera District and was formerly the Rakai District Investigations Officer, told court he could not retrieve the exhibits as instructed because the police exhibit store was overcrowded.

The exhibits to be presented include a bottle said to contain fuel suspected to have been used in the inferno and shoes belonging to one of the accused, among others.

‘We need to empty the police exhibit store, which is full of many things. If we are to get these exhibits, which we can’t do in a day, we need some time to retrieve those exhibits,’ he said.

Justice Katamba granted the State’s request, giving them until next Monday to produce the exhibits so the State can complete its submission and close its case. She noted that the case has overstayed in court.

Defense lawyer Samuel Ssekyewa accused the prosecution of being unprepared, noting that the case has been in court for nearly eight years while the accused have remained on remand.

He, however, welcomed the acquittal of Henry Taremwa and Dickson Kisuule, leaving Edison Niyo and Alex Mugarura as the only remaining accused persons in jail.

‘Court had dedicated this week to see the State complete its submission this week and close its case, but we were saddened by the police officers’ statements that they could not present the exhibits. This is further delaying the case which has been in court for over six years. We hope by next week they will be able to present the exhibits as they have promised,’ he said.

The hearing was adjourned to August 10, 2026 for the prosecution to present its final witnesses.

Prosecution alleges that on November 11, 2018 at St. Bernard’s SS Mannya in Rakai District, the accused persons – Henry Taremwa, a resident of Mannya Trading Centre, Rakai; Alex Mugarura, a resident of Kihinga Village, Kasaana Sub-county, Sheema District; Dickson Kisuule, a resident of Kifamba Sub-county, Rakai District; and Edison Niyo alias Edie, self-employed, a resident of Mannya Trading Centre, and others still at large – killed Remigious Tamale and nine other students in a school fire.

According to the charge sheet, the accused are facing 49 counts, including 10 counts of murder, 36 counts of attempted murder, and one count of attempted arson.

Inflation in July stood at 2.9%, according to CySTAT

Inflation in July 2026 stood at 2.9%, the Statistical Service of Cyprus said Thursday.

According to a press release, the Consumer Price Index in July 2026 decreased by 0.68 points, reaching 102.32 units compared with 103.00 in June 2026. Inflation in July 2026 stood at 2.9%.

It says that the largest increases compared to July 2025 were recorded in the economic categories, Petroleum Products (12.2%) and Agricultural Goods (8.2%), while the largest decrease was observed in Industrial Goods (-0.5%).

Compared to June 2026, the largest increase was recorded in the economic category Electricity and Water (5.3%), while the largest decrease was observed in Petroleum Products (-5.7%).

Compared with July 2025, the largest changes were observed in the categories Housing, Water, Electricity, Natural Gas and Other Fuels (7.2%), Transport (6.0%), Clothing and Footwear (-5.9%) and Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages (4.9%).

In relation to June 2026, the largest changes were recorded in the categories Clothing and Footwear (-10.7%) and Housing, Water, Electricity, Natural Gas and Other Fuels (1.2%).

The largest positive contribution to the change in the CPI of July 2026 compared with July 2025 was recorded in the categories Restaurants and Accommodation Services (3.14), Recreation, Sports and Culture (2.82) and Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco (1.86), while the largest negative contribution to the CPI change of July 2026 compared with July 2025 was observed in the categories Health (-2.62), Information and Communication (-1.69) and Clothing and Footwear (-1.05).

The largest impact on the monthly change in the CPI in July 2026 compared with June 2026 was recorded in the categories Clothing and Footwear (-0.68), Housing, Water, Electricity, Natural Gas and Other Fuels (0.15) and Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages (-0.09).

It adds that the largest positive contribution to the change in the CPI of July 2026 compared with July 2025 was attributed to Recreation Services (2.93), while the largest negative contribution was attributed to Mobile Communication Services (-1.53).

Finally, Passenger Transport by Air (0.41) had the largest positive impact on the change in the CPI of July 2026 compared with the corresponding index for June 2026, while Clothing (-0.56) had the largest negative impact.

CNA/AAR/GV/2026S, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

Museveni, Suluhu sign new energy partnership

President Museveni and his Tanzanian counterpart, Samia Suluhu Hassan, have launched a new chapter in Uganda-Tanzania energy cooperation, following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which seeks to accelerate regional petroleum infrastructure, industrialisation and cross-border trade.

The agreement, which was signed in Dar es Salaam on Thursday, marks the beginning of a broader journey towards building a competitive regional energy market capable of creating jobs, attracting investment and positioning East Africa as a global energy player, a statement released by State House, Kampala, said.

It added that both leaders later witnessed the signing of an MoU between the Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC), the Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC) and Vitol Bahrain E.C to jointly develop the Tanga Regional Energy Hub.

The partnership builds on the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP), and is expected to transform Tanga into a regional hub for petroleum storage, refining, logistics, trading, distribution, and complement Uganda’s oil and gas projects, including the Hoima refinery, while enhancing energy security, expanding export opportunities and strengthening trade across East and Central Africa.

Uganda’s Minister of Energy and Mineral Development, Dr Monica Musenero, described the agreement as ‘a powerful demonstration of regional cooperation and a reflection of the long-held vision of the two Presidents to build a united and prosperous Africa’, and welcomed Vitol Bahrain into the partnership.

She expressed optimism that the collaboration between Kampala, Dar es Salaam, and the private sector will accelerate regional economic transformation.

‘These are not merely infrastructure projects, but strategic investments that will create jobs for our young people, deepen regional trade and strengthen the logistics systems that support our economies,’ Minister Musenero was quoted in the statement.

Adding: ‘We must ensure that we are not simply trading these resources as commodities; we need to extract greater value by developing secondary and tertiary industries, building the knowledge economy and creating high-skilled jobs in engineering, operations, maintenance, laboratory analysis and management.’

Dr Musenero further revealed that feasibility and front-end engineering design studies for the proposed refined petroleum products pipeline and storage terminal are progressing well and are expected to be completed later this year, and that feasibility studies for the proposed natural gas pipeline linking Uganda and Tanzania are expected to be concluded by October.

Beyond petroleum, she highlighted progress on the planned Uganda-Tanzania 400kV electricity interconnector, noting that Uganda concluded negotiations with the World Bank in March before securing $250m in financing in June for its section of the project.

The transmission line, Dr Musenero said, will increase electricity exchange between both countries, strengthen the Eastern African power pool and create new opportunities for electricity trade with Southern Africa.

She reaffirmed that Uganda’s planned 60,000-barrel-per-day Hoima refinery remains central to the country’s industrialisation agenda, emphasising that it complements rather than competes with the Tanga Regional Energy Hub.

‘The hub is complementary. Together, these projects will strengthen regional energy security while enabling East Africa to retain more value from its petroleum resources,’ she said, adding that the successful implementation of EACOP has demonstrated Uganda and Tanzania’s ability to deliver complex cross-border projects, boost investor confidence and pave the way for future regional investments.

The EACOP has since surpassed 90 per cent construction completion, while the planned 60,000-barrel-per-day refinery is expected to support Uganda’s energy security, while allowing the country to retain more value from its crude oil, and will be supported by a multi-products pipeline and a petroleum products storage terminal.

Her Tanzanian counterpart, Mr Deo Ndejembi, said the agreement marks the beginning of a new era of regional energy integration. ‘The story we celebrate today did not begin in 2026. It began several years ago when Tanzania and Uganda made the courageous decision to deepen cooperation in the petroleum sector.’

According to Mr Ndejembi, while EACOP laid the foundation for regional collaboration, the Tanga Regional Energy Hub represents the next phase by creating value through refining, petroleum storage, logistics, trading and industrialisation.

‘EACOP transports molecules, the Tanga Regional Energy Hub transforms those molecules into prosperity,’ he said, adding that the proposed hub has the potential to attract investments exceeding US$20 billion, making it one of the largest integrated energy infrastructure developments ever undertaken in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Mr Ndejembi further stressed that the two projects are strategically complementary, noting that Uganda’s decision to develop the Hoima refinery reflects its sovereign objective of maximising value from its petroleum resources through domestic refining and industrial development, which is fully supported by Tanzania.

The proposed bidirectional multi-product pipeline linking Uganda and Tanzania will allow refined petroleum products to move efficiently in either direction according to market demand, opening wider export opportunities for Uganda while strengthening energy security across East Africa.

Parliament approves UPDF troops deployment to Gaza stabilisation mission

Parliament of Uganda on Thursday approved a motion authorizing the deployment of a Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) contingent to the Gaza Strip. The troops will join an International Stabilization Force (ISF) following an invitation extended by the United States.

The plenary session, chaired by Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa, supported the decision of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni to contribute to the international effort aiming to monitor ceasefire arrangements, eliminate terrorist elements, and protect civilians in the conflict-torn region.

Presenting the motion, Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs Kiryowa Kiwanuka cited Uganda’s constitutional framework and international peacekeeping legacy as primary drivers for the mission.

“Uganda has a strong army with capable organisation structures which have enabled Uganda to successfully support peace operations, notably the African Mission in Somalia-now African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM)-South Sudan, Central African Republic, and various United Nations peacekeeping missions,” Mr Kiwanuka stated, referencing the text of the motion.

The Defence Minister highlighted that the deployment aligns with UN Security Council Resolution 2803 (2025) and President Donald Trump’s diplomatic outreach to President Museveni. The mission aims to support a transitional administration-the Board of Peace (BoP)-working alongside partners like Morocco to operate in areas outside Israeli military control.

Mr Kiwanuka emphasized the broader strategic goal of the deployment: “Uganda’s participation as part of the International Stabilization Force will aid in preventing further conflict in the region… guarantee an ample opportunity for the antagonizing sides to plan for ushering in peace, [and] contribute to the elimination of terrorist cells that have greatly contributed to international terrorism.”

He assured the House that the UPDF will adhere strictly to international legal standards. “Throughout its period of deployment, the UPDF will remain neutral, comply with International Humanitarian Law, protect civilians without taking sides in political disputes, and operate under clearly defined rules of engagement,” the motion noted.

The decision drew strong reactions across the political divide in the House. UPDF Representative Maj. Gen. Henry Masiko welcomed the resolution, framing it as a moment of national pride.

‘We are not going there to dance; we are going there to confront threats against society and humanity. We should be proud of this,’ Maj. Gen. Masiko told the House, describing the mission as an honorable humanitarian task.

However, opposition lawmakers raised concerns regarding parliamentary procedure, operational transparency, and troop welfare.

Mr Joseph Ssewungu, the Shadow Minister for Defence, criticized the timing of the proposal, describing the motion as an “ambush” and requesting additional time to properly digest and respond to the details.

Acting President of the National Unity Platform (NUP) and Manjiya County MP John Baptist Nambeshe voiced conditional support, insisting that Parliament must evaluate past deployments before embarking on new ones.

‘We need to know whether we are doing well before we release our troops to the risky Gaza Strip,’ Mr Nambeshe urged, calling for a comprehensive performance report on previous UPDF peacekeeping missions.

Troop welfare and financial facilitation also dominated the floor debate.

MP Peter Okot (Tochi County) cautioned against past administrative missteps: ‘Our sons and daughters need to be treated well after such international deployments. Previously, they have complained about their facilitation package being withheld.’

Echoing these concerns, Mr James Waluswaka (Bunyole West) issued a sharp warning against any financial mismanagement regarding the peacekeepers: ‘We want to warn those people who will attempt to tamper with the emoluments of the UPDF soldiers deployed to the Gaza Strip that it won’t be business as usual.’

Despite the floor debates, the House voted to adopt the motion, officially granting parliamentary authorization under Section 38 of the UPDF Act for the troops to prepare for deployment.

UPDF peace missions

UPDF have a long-standing history as one of Africa’s most active troop-contributing militaries to peace support, peacekeeping, and regional stabilization missions, predominantly under the auspices of the African Union (AU) and the United Nations (UN).

Uganda’s most prominent peacekeeping commitment remains in Somalia, where UPDF soldiers serve under the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) and the United Nations Guard Unit (UNGU). Ugandan contingents protect critical infrastructure in Mogadishu and conduct operations against Al-Shabaab insurgents to foster long-term stability. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), UPDF forces are deployed in joint stabilization and counter-insurgency operations, most notably Operation Shujaa, aimed at neutralizing the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebel group in the volatile eastern region.

Meanwhile, Ugandan military personnel maintain a security presence in South Sudan under bilateral and regional peace initiatives designed to restore stability and protect key trade corridors. Beyond East Africa, the UPDF maintains a military training and mentoring mission in Equatorial Guinea and has previously contributed to peacekeeping missions in the Central African Republic.