General Jaffu (2nd right) with Uganda President Museveni and the other military chiefs
* Under the theme; ‘Strengthening Adaptive Non-Combatant Military Response to Emerging Complex Security Threats in Africa’
* Host, President Yoweri Museveni challenged African militaries on ideology, philosophy, and strategy
* Modern defence capabilities cannot rely solely on tactical execution or military hardware, but must be rooted in a clear comprehension of ideology, philosophy, and strategy
By Duncan Mlanjira
Chief of the Malawi Defence Force, General Alexander Jaffu Jnr, attended the inaugural conference of African defence chiefs on Military Operations Other Than War (MOOTW), which was held in Kampala, Uganda from October 5-8 2026.
It was held under the theme; ‘Strengthening Adaptive Non-Combatant Military Response to Emerging Complex Security Threats in Africa’ — discussing coordinated responses to emerging security challenges that go beyond conventional warfare.
MDF Media reports that General Jaffu’s participation underscores the Malawi Defence Force’s commitment to regional military cooperation and collective security.
This was amplified by the host country’s President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni in his keynote address at the end of the conference when he called on African military leaders and defence strategists to prioritise deep ideological clarity, philosophical grounding, and sound strategic planning in addressing the continent’s evolving security architecture.
Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) reports that the conference discussed how African countries “can strengthen their response to emerging and non-traditional security threats, including terrorism, organised crime, cyber warfare, public health emergencies, climate-related crises, and natural disasters”.
“President Museveni emphasised that modern defence capabilities cannot rely solely on tactical execution or military hardware, but must be rooted in a clear comprehension of ideology, philosophy, and strategy.
“The President explained that these three pillars are crucial in shaping the destinies of nations, warning that when they are misunderstood, countries can easily descend into chaos.
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“Additionally, President Museveni pointed out that militaries must actively engage in wealth creation and manufacturing while maintaining emphasis on scientific advancement.
“Citing a historical example, he noted that the invention of gunpowder enabled the colonisation of Africa because the continent lacked equivalent technological advancement that could be used to defend itself.
“He, therefore, challenged military chiefs to ensure a proper diagnosis and understanding of these fundamentals to guarantee the future of Africa.”
The UPDF Media highlighted that Museveni commended the participating military leaders and experts “for their commitment to regional peace and stability — reiterating Uganda’s dedication to supporting collaborative defence initiatives across the continent”.
UPDF’s Chief, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba
Host, Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, urged militaries to adapt to modern security challenges through MOOTW or Military Support to Peace and Security (MSTS) — a concept he proposed for Uganda.
“The Ugandan CDF highlighted the military’s expanding role in disaster response, disease outbreaks — citing Uganda’s CoVID-19 and Ebola responses, maritime security, and humanitarian aid.
“He emphasised that contemporary soldiers must be equipped both to fight wars and to save lives, restore order, and protect infrastructure.
“However, he cautioned against operational challenges, including restrictive rules of engagement, ‘mission creep’ (the gradual expansion of a mission beyond its original mandate), and ‘mission turbulence’, where peaceful scenarios rapidly escalate into combat.
“To navigate these complexities, he stressed the need for strict adherence to international law, flexible command structures, and strong civil-military coordination.
“Ultimately, Gen. Kainerugaba suggested harmonising African military doctrines, improving intelligence sharing, conducting joint training, and leveraging technology.
“He advocated for strengthening bilateral and multilateral security partnerships while safeguarding Africa’s strategic autonomy through regional cooperation and self-reliance.
The UPDF’s highlights that conference was viewed as “a key step toward diagnosing non traditional threats and how best African militaries can work together to ensure the continent’s strategic future”.
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