A three-day meeting is underway in Rwanda to assess the progress made in implementing a regional initiative aimed at jointly utilizing military industries.
The meeting, which began on March 10, 2026, has brought together senior leaders from military industries across member states of the East African Community (EAC).
The discussions are guided by Article 2 of the EAC Defence Cooperation Agreement, signed in April 2012 by Burundi, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda and Uganda.
Speaking at the opening session, Patrick Karuretwa, Director General for International Military Cooperation at Rwanda’s Ministry of Defence, said collaboration among East African countries is critical and the region must not fall behind in technological advancements.
He stressed that military industries play a crucial role in strengthening the operational effectiveness of armed forces.
Brig. Gen. Karuretwa noted that political and military commitment continues to reinforce defence cooperation and enhance regional security capacity within the EAC.
“Developing strong and sustainable defence industries is vital for any country that seeks to safeguard its sovereignty and security,” he said. “Military industrial infrastructure plays a critical role in enabling our armed forces to operate effectively through access to essential equipment, maintenance services and technical expertise.”
He added that technological advancements are rapidly transforming modern warfare. Innovations such as unmanned aerial vehicles, artificial intelligence and advanced surveillance technologies are reshaping how conflicts unfold and how security challenges are addressed.
Karuretwa emphasized that the EAC must not be left behind as the global security environment continues to evolve. He called on member states, particularly those in East Africa, to strengthen self-reliance, resilience and regional cooperation.
Several EAC countries already operate defence industries producing military uniforms, weapons, armored vehicles and other equipment. These include Mizinga Corporation in Tanzania, Kenya Ordnance Factories Corporation in Kenya, Rwanda Engineering and Manufacturing Corporation in Rwanda and National Enterprise Corporation in Uganda.
Participants are also expected to tour Rwanda’s military industrial facilities as part of the meeting’s activities.
