Eastern African states have been urged to strengthen regional security mechanisms and deepen cooperation to confront emerging threats and safeguard peace and stability across the region.

The call was made in Uganda as the Eastern Africa Standby Force, EASF, continues efforts to enhance its preparedness and collective response capacity.

Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces Chief of Joint Staff, Lieutenant General Jack Bakasumba, emphasized the importance of stronger regional institutions capable of responding effectively to evolving security challenges.

The appeal comes amid growing recognition that instability, humanitarian crises and other emerging threats increasingly require coordinated responses beyond national borders.

The push for greater regional cooperation is also linked to the need for African-led solutions to the continent’s security challenges. Uganda has reaffirmed its commitment to working with EASF member states to strengthen collective security and build greater African capacity to respond to crises affecting the region.

The latest discussions come as Uganda has been demonstrating its own preparedness to contribute personnel and capabilities to the regional standby mechanism.

An EASF verification exercise conducted earlier this month assessed Uganda’s military, police and civilian capabilities, as well as equipment pledged for rapid deployment in regional peace support operations.

The verification exercise found Uganda’s pledged capabilities ready for potential deployment, with the EASF Force Commander Brigadier General Stephen Maina Huria expressing satisfaction with the preparation, morale and readiness of the participating military, police and civilian components.

The exercise was designed to ensure that forces assigned to the EASF can operate effectively together when required.

Uganda’s contribution comes as the EASF seeks to strengthen its ability to respond to a rapidly changing security environment.

The regional mechanism has identified challenges ranging from transnational security threats to recurring disasters, underscoring the need for interoperable forces and stronger preparedness among member states.

The EASF is an African Union regional standby mechanism comprising nine member states — Burundi, Comoros, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, Sudan and Uganda.

It is designed to support peace support operations and contribute to conflict prevention, regional stability and crisis response in Eastern Africa.