Mbabane – The Minister of Information, Communications and Technology, Hon. Savannah Maziya, has announced that two women officers of the Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force (UEDF) will attend the Peace and Security Training Programme at the Khawla Bint Al Azwar Military School in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, the first military school for women in the Arab world.
The selected officers are First Lieutenant Lomagugu Hlatshwako and Second Lieutenant Agape Simelane. Their deployment follows the signing of a groundbreaking Memorandum of Understanding by the Ministry of ICT on 26 September 2025 under the SHE Powers Africa Initiative, witnessed by His Majesty King Mswati III. The agreement was facilitated through collaboration with the UAE Government and the UAE Gender Balance Council.
The officers will undergo seven weeks of basic military training and two weeks of specialised peacekeeping instruction. Upon completion, they will receive accredited certification in Basic Military Training, Peacekeeping, First Aid, and Jiu-Jitsu. The UAE Government will cover flights, accommodation, meals, uniforms, medical insurance, cultural excursions, and certification.
Minister Maziya described the officers’ selection as a personal achievement and a source of national pride, noting that they carry the hopes of young girls in Eswatini aspiring to leadership roles. She also commended the UEDF, the UAE Government, and the UAE Gender Balance Council for their commitment to the initiative, which strengthens Eswatini’s participation in global peacekeeping and emerging security sectors including cyber defence, artificial intelligence, and digital diplomacy.
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