KITGUM, Uganda, Oct. 25 (Xinhua) -- The military forces from the five East African countries and the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) on Sunday ended the ten-day joint military exercise aimed at strengthening the cooperation among countries during complex humanitarian emergencies.

Over 1,200 troops from Uganda, Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and the United States participated the exercise codenamed "Natural Fire 10" at Pajimo Military Barracks in Kitgum district in northern Uganda aimed at better responding to complex humanitarian disasters like floods, landslides, earthquakes.

"This exercise has reinforced our forces capacity in the reduction of negative impacts of natural disasters on civil population, life and security," said Yves Sahinguvu, first vice president of Burundi while closing the exercise.

He noted that it will further develop the capacity of regional defense forces to participate in the resolution of serious defense and security challenges facing the region like the consequent attacks on Ugandan and Burundian peacekeepers in Somalia deployed under the African Union.

"In Somalia, Ugandan and Burundian forces are confronted with suicide attacks. The list is unfortunately not exhaustive. These exercises will allow us to develop our Defense Forces capacity to participate in the resolution of these challenges," he said.

Beatrice Kiraso, the East African Community (EAC) deputy secretary general in charge of political federation, said as the EAC celebrates the 10th anniversary next month, the bloc should own its destiny and agenda.

"We need to build more capacity not only among military forces but also security agencies and government institutions. Peace, security and political unity are pre-requisite," said Kiraso.

"Along with developing its own common defense mechanism and internal conflict prevention, management and resolution, East Africa needs to explore ways of ensuring economic independence," she said.

Eriya Kategaya, Uganda's first deputy prime minister and minister for East African affairs said with the cooperation between the EAC military forces, rebellions and genocides like the one in Rwanda in 1994, will never occur again.

"With the level of cooperation within the armies, it's not possible for genocides and killing of people to happen again," he said.

John Hoover, deputy Chief of Mission of U.S. Embassy in Uganda, said the six countries should continue working together to meet the cross border, cross-cutting challenges that face all the countries.

"You have better prepared yourselves at national, regional and international levels to confront natural disasters by working smoothly and productively," said Hoover.

The joint exercise will also test the multinational command and control systems within the EAC and between the EAC states and the United States in responding to disasters.