Sudhir Ruparelia’s Speke Resort Draws African Defence Leaders Into a New Security Conversation

Speke Resort Munyonyo has become a meeting point for African defence leaders as Uganda hosts an inaugural conference on Military Operations Other Than War, placing the Kampala resort at the centre of discussions about security threats that increasingly extend beyond conventional battlefields.

The four day conference, running from October 5 to 8, 2026, has brought together defence chiefs, military operations experts, regional security representatives and commanders involved in African and international peace support missions. The meeting is being organised by the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs and the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces.

The gathering is examining challenges ranging from terrorism and organised crime to cyber warfare, artificial intelligence, climate related emergencies, pandemics and border security. These issues require military institutions to work with civilian agencies, regional organisations and other partners, making cooperation a central theme of the discussions.

For Speke Resort and its proprietor Sudhir Ruparelia, hosting such a gathering highlights the role that Uganda’s private hospitality sector can play in supporting high level regional and international engagements. The resort has increasingly positioned itself as a venue where business, diplomacy, tourism and major conferences meet.

Lieutenant General Jack Bakasumba, the UPDF Chief of Joint Staff, said the security environment has changed and that African militaries must adapt to threats that do not fit neatly within traditional warfare. He called for stronger regional cooperation, improved information sharing and practical systems that can be activated during emergencies.

The emphasis on practical cooperation is particularly relevant to a continent where security challenges frequently cross national borders. Terrorism networks, organised crime, cyber attacks and climate related emergencies do not stop at national boundaries, meaning that countries often need shared intelligence, communication systems and coordinated responses.

Speke Resort provides the physical setting for these conversations through its conference facilities, accommodation and event infrastructure. Located on the shores of Lake Victoria in Munyonyo, the property has hosted national, regional and international meetings and has become one of Kampala’s recognised venues for large gatherings.

The current conference adds a security dimension to that record. It also demonstrates the growing relationship between hospitality and diplomacy, where the ability to host senior delegations can contribute to a country’s wider international engagement.

Ruparelia’s hospitality investments have placed facilities such as Speke Resort within Uganda’s broader business and tourism ecosystem. Conferences bring visitors who require accommodation, transport, food, event services and other support, creating economic activity beyond the meeting room itself.

As African countries examine how to respond to increasingly complex threats, the discussions in Munyonyo are expected to focus on systems that can move from policy to implementation. The organisers have emphasised the need for standard procedures, training, early warning arrangements and capabilities that can be deployed when emergencies arise.

The conference therefore offers more than a high level gathering. It provides an opportunity for African institutions to compare experience, identify gaps and consider how cooperation can be strengthened. For Uganda and for the host venue, it is also another demonstration of the country’s growing capacity to convene important continental conversations.

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