The Final Planning Conference (FPC) for the highly anticipated Command Post Exercise (CPX) OKOA MAISHA has officially begun at the Uganda Rapid Deployment Capability (HQ URDC) Headquarters in Jinja.
The 3 days conference was yesterday officially opened by the Commander of Uganda Rapid Deployment Capability Brig Gen Earnest Nuwagaba who doubles as the Director of the Exercise.
Wjile addressing participants, Brig Gen Nuwagaba underscored the critical aim of the Command Post Exercise which is to assess and test the readiness of both the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) Rapid Deployment Capability to effectively respond to disasters within a 72-hour timeframe.
“This will be a simulation exercise based on a case study of disaster-prone areas in the Elgon sub-region. It is designed to enhance the operational capabilities and staff competencies of Uganda Rapid Deployment Capability,” Brig Gen Nuwagaba said.
He further noted that the conference brings together key players from the military, police, government ministries, and other strategic stakeholders and also highlighted that such joint participation is indispensable in strengthening inter-agency communication, coordination, decision-making and overall mission effectiveness.
The Final Planning Conference represents the final phase in the planning cycle for OKOA MAISHA, following both the Initial and Main Planning Conferences, as well as the Tabletop Exercise conducted in March 2025, from which key lessons have been incorporated.
The conference has attracted a high-level delegation of participants, including Brig Gen Akiiki Rugadya from the Office of the Prime Minister, Chief of Staff at Headquarters of Uganda Rapid Deployment Capability Brig Gen Flavia Byekwaso, the Commandant of the Non-Commissioned Officers Academy Brig Gen Michael Ssozi Ssesanga, the Deputy Commandant of the Police Senior Command and Staff College Senior Superintendent of Police Bosco Arop, Senior Superintendent of Prisons Doreen Asiimwe from the Department of National, Regional and International Cooperation in Uganda Prisons, Simunyu Jacob from Immigration and Principal Assistant Chief Administrative Officer for Bulambuli District Gidoi Charles among many others.
The Command Post Exercise OKOA MAISHA is expected to simulate a large-scale coordinated disaster response operation, reinforcing Uganda’s capacity to manage emergencies with speed, efficiency and unified command.
