L-R: Mr. Eric Touzé, Director of Alliance Française de Kampala, Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Makerere University, H.E. Xavier Sticker, Ambassador of France in Uganda, and Mr. Nils Wörmer, Director of KAS Security Dialogue for East Africa after signing an MoU on Thursday (PHOTO/Nelson Mandela).
KAMPALA – In the heart of Kampala, Uganda’s vibrant capital, a group of esteemed individuals gathered to mark a significant milestone. The Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS), Embassy of France in Uganda, Makerere University, and Alliance Française Kampala had joined forces to renew their partnership for the 8th edition of the Kampala Geopolitics Conference.
As they signed the Memorandum of Understanding on March 13th, 2025, the excitement was palpable. This conference had grown from a small seed planted eight years ago to a prominent gathering in East Africa, bringing together experts from Uganda, Africa, and beyond.
H.E. Xavier Sticker, Ambassador of France in Uganda, beamed with pride as he addressed the gathering. “I’m thrilled to hear about the upcoming conference, particularly the two outstanding debates on de-seeding in Africa and the reform of the UN Security Council. Geopolitics lies at the heart of this event, and I’m excited to explore these topics further.”
He went on to highlight the conference’s growth, saying, “This conference has come a long way since its inception. The first seed was planted eight or nine years ago, drawing inspiration from a similar event in North geopolitics. Today, it has grown into a prominent gathering in East Africa, kindly hosted and co-organized by Macquarie University.”
Ambassador Sticker emphasized the importance of creating a space for public debates, bringing together stakeholders from various backgrounds, including students, researchers, professors, press, and the wider public. “Year after year, this event has grown, and I’m proud to say that the small seed planted in 2016 has now become a big tree, well-established in the Kampala landscape.”
Mr. Nils Wörmer, Director of the Regional Programme Security Dialogue for East Africa at KAS, echoed the ambassador’s sentiments. “As a partner in the organization of the Kampala Geopolitics Conference from its inception, we’re proud to participate in this year’s preparations. Our long-standing collaboration with the Embassy of France in Uganda, Alliance Francaise, and Macquarie University has been invaluable.”
He highlighted the current state of international politics and security affairs, saying, “The current state of international politics and security affairs is complex and unpredictable. Despite these challenges, we’re committed to fostering a deeper understanding of the issues at hand. This year’s conference will focus on two critical topics: the reform of the United Nations Security Council and the future of peacekeeping in Africa.”
Mr. Wörmer emphasized the importance of Africa’s quest for a permanent seat with veto power at the UN Security Council, saying, “With over 70% of UN Security Council resolutions concerning Africa, it’s imperative that the continent has a stronger voice in international affairs. Our panel discussion will evaluate the rationale and predictability of this quest, considering the interests of bigger powers like Germany and Japan.”
He also highlighted the importance of examining the future of peacekeeping in Africa, saying, “Our second panel discussion will examine the future of peacekeeping in Africa. With the continent facing numerous conflicts and peacekeeping missions, it’s essential that we analyze different approaches and project what future missions might look like. We’ll be discussing case studies from Somalia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the Lake Chad Basin.”
In addition to the geopolitical topics, Ambassador Sticker highlighted two other debates that would take place at the eighth edition of the Kampala Geopolitics. One debate would focus on the oceans, which may seem surprising given Uganda’s landlocked location. However, access to the sea is crucial for the country’s imports and exports, and the ambassador acknowledged the challenges that come with it, including environmental concerns.
Another debate would center around artificial intelligence, a highly topical issue in the region. While AI presents opportunities, it also raises challenges, such as misinformation and disruption to democratic processes. Ambassador Sticker emphasized the importance of stimulating reflections on these topics and hearing from knowledgeable individuals.
Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Makerere University, reflected on the event’s growth, saying, “The past seven editions, in particular, stand as a testament to the maturation of this partnership. We have successfully navigated the challenges posed by the global pandemic, adapted our formats to ensure continuity, and emerged with an even stronger commitment to fostering dialogue across boundaries.”
He highlighted the unique positioning of the Kampala Geopolitics Conference, saying, “What distinguishes the Kampala Geopolitics Conference from numerous other academic gatherings is its unique positioning at the intersection of theoretical analysis and practical application. Unlike purely academic conferences, our event brings together scholars, policymakers, diplomats, civil society representatives, and the public in a dynamic dialogue that bridges multiple divides.”
Prof. Mukadasi emphasized the relevance of the conference’s focus on contemporary geopolitical issues, saying, “The conference’s focus on contemporary geopolitical issues ensures its relevance to pressing regional and global challenges. Past editions have tackled complex topics such as climate security, digital governance, migration patterns, and regional integration.”
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