Rwandan forces participate in regional military exercise
Thursday, May 14, 2026
Rwanda Defence Force soldiers who are participating in the East African Community (EAC) armed forces command post exercise currently underway in Nairobi, Kenya. Courtesy

Rwanda is participating in the East African Community (EAC) armed forces command post exercise currently underway in Nairobi, Kenya.

The activity is bringing together military, police and civilian personnel from the bloc’s eight partner states to strengthen regional preparedness, interoperability and collective security.

The 14th multinational exercise, dubbed Ushirikiano Imara, aims to enhance joint operational capabilities in peace support operations.

The 14th multinational exercise, dubbed Ushirikiano Imara, aims to enhance joint operational capabilities in peace support operations.

It also focuses on counterterrorism, counter-piracy and disaster management through coordinated training, command post drills and scenario-based simulations.

The activity aims to strengthen regional preparedness, interoperability and collective security.

The exercise is being held at the Ulinzi Sports Complex in Nairobi.

The opening ceremony featured the symbolic handover of the EAC flag, signifying unity, cooperation and the shared commitment of partner states to regional peace, stability and collective security.

The Exercise brought together military, police and civilian personnel from the bloc’s eight partner states.

EAC Deputy Secretary General Andrea Aguer Ariik Malueth, Kenya’s Vice Chief of the Defence Forces Lt Gen John Mugaravai Omenda, Rwanda’s High Commissioner to Kenya Ernest Rwamucyo, and other senior officials presided over the opening of the 14th command post exercise.

Addressing participants, Lt Gen Omenda said the exercise would strengthen the region’s ability to respond to security challenges affecting East Africa and the continent, including terrorism, piracy and disasters.

Scheduled to run from May 6 to 28, 2026, the exercise has brought together 342 participants from Rwanda, Kenya, Burundi, Uganda and Tanzania, while Somalia is participating as an observer state.