A delegation from the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) has concluded a benchmarking visit to the Kenya Defence Forces’ Defence Forces Welfare Services (DEFWES).
In a statement on Wednesday, November 12, KDF said the visit focused on improving welfare programs for military personnel and their families.
"A delegation from the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) conducted a benchmarking visit to the Defence Forces Welfare Services (DEFWES), as part of ongoing efforts to enhance the welfare and well-being of military personnel and their families," the statement read.
KDF explained that the visit which began at the Moi Air Base in Eastleigh, Nairobi, was aimed at sharing best practices in the management of welfare programs within armed forces.
"The visit, which commenced at the DEFWES Headquarters in Moi Air Base, Eastleigh Nairobi, aimed to strengthen bilateral cooperation and promote the exchange of knowledge on welfare programs, housing, healthcare, education, and post-service support for service members.
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"The visitors also toured the DEFWES Headquarters warehouse and DEFWES Mall in Embakasi, gaining insights into the institution’s operational structure and service delivery," the statement added.
The Ugandan delegation was led by Deputy Commander Land Force Major General Francis Takirwa, who was hosted by DEFWES Managing Director Brigadier Peter Limo.
During the briefing, Limo presented Kenya’s detailed welfare structure, including initiatives that support active and retired officers.
"The UPDF delegation, led by Deputy Commander Land Force Major General Francis Takirwa, was received by Managing Director DEFWES Brigadier Peter Limo, who outlined Kenya’s comprehensive welfare framework. His briefing highlighted the formation and roles of DEFWES, veterans’ support programs, cooperative societies, and sustainable income-generating initiatives that empower service members and their families," the statement further read.
During their tour, the Ugandan officers also met with senior Kenya Air Force leadership to discuss the development of modern welfare systems in regional forces.
"The delegation later paid a courtesy call on the Commander Kenya Air Force, Major General Bernard Waliaula, who encouraged the team to identify best practices that would enhance the welfare systems within their own formations," the statement concluded.
Takirwa expressed appreciation for the hospitality and openness of the KDF, reiterating the need for continued regional collaboration.
"Thank you DEFWES officials for your time in making us understand your Defence Welfare Service, and by the end of this trip we will emulate the knowledge and embrace the visit again," he said.
This comes months after Kenya and Ethiopia strengthened their defence relations with the signing of a Defence Cooperation Agreement in Addis Ababa.
In a statement on Thursday, September 25, the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) announced that the Chief of the Defence Forces (CDF), General Charles Kahariri, signed the agreement with the Chief of the Ethiopian National Defence Forces, Field Marshall Birhanu Jula, at the Ministry of Defence Headquarters in Addis Ababa.
According to KDF, the bilateral engagement seeks to establish a structured framework for more efficient, effective, and timely collaboration in addressing contemporary security threats.
It also places emphasis on advancing joint training, enhancing interoperability, and strengthening mechanisms for rapid intelligence sharing to deal with emerging challenges within and beyond their borders.
In his remarks, Kahariri outlined the importance of bolstering cooperation in defence and security matters, describing it as both a strategic necessity and an investment in resilience.
"This is a clear expression of African self-reliance, mastering our collective fate through cooperation, ingenuity, and shared action," he said.
On his part, Field Marshall Jula reaffirmed Ethiopian National Defence Forces’ commitment to the partnership, pointing to the long-standing ties between the two countries and the mutual challenges they continue to confront.
He noted that the new agreement captures the essence of shared responsibility in safeguarding peace and development within the region.
