After years of political turmoil and repeated military breakdowns, the Central African Republic (CAR) is trying to rebuild its shattered armed forces—and Uganda has emerged as a key partner in this effort.
On Thursday, a new contingent of recruits flew out of Bangui’s Mpoko Airport to Kampala for six months of military training focused on intelligence work and counter-insurgency tactics. The initiative stems from a bilateral defense accord signed between Uganda and CAR in October 2024.
According to Oscar Yannick Bada, who oversees training in the CAR army, Uganda has offered slots to train 1,800 Central African youths as second-class soldiers. The recruits, selected from all seven regions of the country, are part of an attempt to craft a more representative and professional army, in contrast to the sectarian and factional makeup that has undermined previous national forces.
Uganda, with decades of experience battling insurgencies, has a track record of training regional militaries, including those of South Sudan and Somalia. By sending troops to Kampala, the CAR’s General Staff is not only tapping into Uganda’s expertise but also signaling a diversification of its military partnerships.
For years, Russian instructors were among the few external trainers for CAR’s military. While Russian support continues, the decision to work with Uganda suggests that Bangui may be seeking to reduce its reliance on Moscow and to strengthen ties with other African security actors.
