KAMPALA– The Government of Uganda has reaffirmed its commitment to implementing the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) and United Nations Security Council Resolution 1540.
This follows the first-ever Biological Weapons Convention workshop held in Kampala, Uganda. This landmark event marked the first visit to Uganda by the Chief of the BWC Implementation Support Unit based in Geneva, highlighting Uganda’s growing engagement in global non-proliferation efforts.
Organised by the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs in collaboration with international experts, the workshop focused on strengthening national capacity to comply with BWC obligations and improving Uganda’s ability to submit Confidence-Building Measures (CBMs) required under the treaty.
Closing the workshop, Mr. Irumba Roger Kaija, Undersecretary for Relief, Disaster Management and Refugees in the Office of the Prime Minister, said the workshop had laid the groundwork for coordinated national action.
“This has clarified the government’s position and what needs to be done in relation to Resolution 1540 and the Biological Weapons Convention,” Mr. Kaija said.
“We’ve received critical guidance, and I encourage all of us to carry this forward by forming a national task force to lead future responses.”
“We will use the insights shared here to better prepare ourselves and shape a strong national response. Once in place, we’ll be ready to meet the Convention’s requirements,” he added.
Mr. Daniel Feakes, Chief of the BWC Implementation Support Unit at the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs, praised Uganda’s active participation.
“The level of discussion and engagement reflects a strong commitment to national implementation,” Mr. Feakes said.
He thanked the Global Partnership Against the Spread of Weapons and Materials of Mass Destruction, particularly the governments of Canada, Italy, the United Kingdom, and the United States for funding the workshop. He recognised Uganda’s Permanent Mission in Geneva and regional partners, including South Africa’s Dr. Matome Mokodi and 1540 Group of Experts’ Scott Burbis.
Uganda’s national BWC contact point, Lt Col Dr Godwin Bagashe, stressed the need to sustain momentum from the workshop to fast-track legislation and reporting.
“We didn’t start from zero we had already submitted the 2024 CBM report. But this workshop helps us prepare more comprehensively for the 2026 submission,” he said.
He urged participants to act as focal points within their respective ministries, departments, and agencies to cascade the information and begin collecting relevant data.
Lt Col. Bagashe also referenced the ongoing legislative process for the Biosafety and Biosecurity Bill, describing it as central to national BWC implementation.
Delivering the vote of thanks, Lt Col Bagashe commended the workshop’s practical sessions and knowledge-sharing.
“We’ve deepened our understanding of the CBM process and our obligations under the BWC,” he said. “The training has been demanding but extremely valuable.”
Among the attendees were Biological Weapons Convention Gen Francis Kato Bossa, Uganda’s Defence Advisor to Geneva, as well as representatives from various ministries, government agencies, and academic institutions.
The workshop ended with a shared sense of purpose among participants to uphold international norms on biosafety and biosecurity and ensure Uganda’s continued compliance with global non-proliferation standards.
