President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has revealed why Uganda declined proposals from both the United States and the United Kingdom to deploy their military forces on Ugandan soil.
Speaking in remarks reported by local media, the Ugandan leader said the two countries offered to help strengthen Uganda’s military capacity. However, he made it clear that Uganda already has a strong and capable army that can defend the country without foreign troops.
“We are very confident, we already built our army. Foreign armies for what? We can defend ourselves.”,he said.
Because of this position, Museveni noted that Uganda does not host foreign military bases.
The president also disclosed that both Washington and London had proposed signing a Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) a treaty that sets the legal rules governing foreign troops stationed in another country.
According to Museveni, the two countries wanted their soldiers in Uganda to be tried in their own nations if they committed crimes while stationed there.
Uganda, however, suggested that the same rule should apply to Ugandan citizens abroad meaning they would also be returned home to face trial if they broke the law overseas.
Museveni said the proposal was rejected by the two countries.
“I have never signed any single SOFA with anybody during the time I have been in office,” he stated.
The Ugandan leader, who has been in power since 1986, did not specify when the talks with the US and UK took place. However, past reports indicate that in 2003 Uganda considered allowing the US Air Force to use Entebbe International Airport as a logistical support base.