UPDF Officers Study KCCA Model for Urban Security

A delegation of about 110 students and instructors from the UPDF Junior Staff College in Kimaka, Jinja, has conducted field research in Kampala to examine how collaboration among security, political, and technical institutions can contribute to sustainable security, peace, and development.

The study tour is being conducted under a course titled Leveraging Strategic Collaboration for Sustainable Security, Peace and Development.

Colonel Mike Mbulakyalo, the college’s Deputy Commandant and Chief Instructor, said the field research is intended to complement classroom teaching and documentary reviews with practical engagement with institutions involved in managing urban affairs.

“Where we cannot find the solutions within the documentary review and other sources, we tend to go back to the field so that we interact with respondents,” Mbulakyalo said. 

He said Kampala was selected as a case study because of its large population, complex activities and the range of security and development challenges faced by urban authorities. 

Mbulakyalo said the understanding of security has expanded beyond conventional military threats to include issues such as food security, health, communication, disaster management and environmental protection.

“Today, security is defined in a broader perspective. That broader perspective includes looking at other issues which affect the human environment as security issues,” he said.

The students are also examining how security institutions and urban authorities can coordinate their work in addressing challenges affecting cities and municipalities. 

Mbulakyalo said the study will look at challenges that can arise when technical decisions by urban planners and administrators come into contact with political considerations.“When the technical people are saying, ‘We want this one here,’ then the political personnel will say that you are interfering with our people,” he said.

He said the lessons from Kampala could be applied to other cities and municipalities, particularly in areas such as land management, disaster and emergency response, and waste management. 

The students are expected to visit other institutions as part of the study tour to broaden their understanding of the contribution of different organisations to national and human security.

Mbulakyalo said the practical exposure would help the students understand how security institutions can integrate their work with other stakeholders to improve the management and development of urban areas.



The KCCA Executive Director, Hajjat Sharifah Buzeki, thanked the Defence Forces for their continued support to the city, particularly during periods of need and vulnerability. 

Buzeki said the UPDF’s role in protecting people and property has contributed to an environment in which residents can conduct their businesses and investors can participate in the development of Kampala.

She said cooperation between KCCA and the Defence Forces has also supported enforcement operations, capacity building and implementation of city management initiatives.