Uganda’s Defence Attaché to Ethiopia, Brig. Gen. Fred Zakye, officially concluded his tour of duty last week, handing over office to his successor, Brig. Gen. Edward Ronald Mutaawe.
To honor the outgoing attaché, a farewell dinner attended by Uganda Embassy officials, Ethiopian diplomats, and senior military officers was held in Addis Ababa.
Speaking at the event, Brig. Gen. Zakye expressed his deep gratitude to H.E. President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for the opportunity to serve, while thanking his Ethiopian hosts for their immense cooperation and hospitality during his tenure.
This seamless transition underscores the strong, enduring bilateral and military ties shared between Uganda and Ethiopia.
During his time in Addis Ababa, Brig. Gen. Zakye actively advanced this relationship, notably hosting Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba on two high-profile working visits, alongside several other military delegations.
Similarly, Uganda hosted top-tier Ethiopian military leaders, including the Chief of Defence Staff of the Ethiopian National Defence Forces (ENDF), Field Marshal Birhanu Jula. These reciprocal engagements continue to reinforce warm, historic ties rooted in shared regional security interests within the Horn of Africa and the Nile Basin.
Speaking at the farewell dinner, Uganda’s Ambassador to Ethiopia, H.E. Rebecca Amuge Otengo, thanked Brig. Gen. Zakye for his distinguished service, noting that the outgoing Defence Attaché worked tirelessly to ensure the smooth repatriation of Ugandans during the COVID-19 crisis. Ambassador Otengo highlighted that despite it being a difficult time, Brig. Gen. Zakye seamlessly coordinated with officials in both Kampala and Addis Ababa to ensure smooth operations.