After enduring years of turmoil and the collapse of its national defense, the Central African Republic (CAR) is taking decisive steps to rebuild its armed forces with Uganda stepping in as a key partner.
On Thursday, a group of new military recruits boarded a flight from Bangui’s Mpoko Airport to Kampala, where they will undergo six months of intensive training. The program will focus on intelligence gathering and counter-insurgency tactics, equipping the young soldiers to confront rebel threats back home.
This initiative stems from a bilateral military agreement signed between CAR and Uganda in October 2024. Under the accord, Uganda has committed to training 1,800 Central African recruits as second-class soldiers.
“Training slots have been granted by this brotherly country for the benefit of the Central African Republic,” said Oscar Yannick Bada, head of CAR’s army training office.
The recruits represent all seven regions of CAR, part of a broader effort to build a unified and inclusive military force one that avoids the sectarian and ideological divisions that fractured previous armies.
Uganda brings decades of experience in counter-rebellion operations, having previously trained forces from South Sudan and Somalia. Its military academy in Kampala will now play a pivotal role in CAR’s defense revival.
While CAR continues to rely heavily on Russian military support, this collaboration with Uganda signals a strategic shift toward diversifying its international partnerships in rebuilding the national army.
