Museveni Promotes His Son To Lead Uganda Defence Forces

Uganda's president, Yoweri Museveni, has appointed his son, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba as the new Chief of the Defence Forces (CDF).

He replaces Gen. Wilson Mbasu Mbadi who was appointed Minister of State for Trade in the new cabinet reshuffle announced Thursday evening, March 21.

Muhoozi has been serving as his father's senior presidential advisor in charge of special operations.

This comes days after President Museveni on February 17 presented the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) Establishment 2021, an instrument of delegated Command, Control, and Administration, to then CDF Gen Mbadi, to command all elements of the army.

"By virtue of the powers enshrined under Article 98(1) of the 1995 Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, and Section 8(1) and (2)(a) of the UPDF Act, 2005, yesterday, on February 17, 2024, at the Defence Council meeting, I presented the UPDF Establishment 2021, an instrument of delegated Command, Control, and Administration, to General Wilson Mbasu Mbadi, the Chief of Defence Forces of the UPDF, to command all elements of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces," Museveni said in a February 18 statement. 

In the new appointments, Museveni named Lt. Gen. Samuel Okiding as the deputy CDF. He replaces Gen. Peter Elwelu whom the President named as one of his senior advisors.

Maj. Gen. Jackson Bakasumba replaces Maj. Gen. Leopold Eric Kyanda as the new Joint Chief of Staff.

Kyanda has been appointed Defence attaché while the commander of the Special Forces Command (SFC), Brig. Gen. David Mugisha has been promoted to Major General, according to Defence spokesperson, Brig. Gen. Felix Kulayigye.

Commando Brigade commander, Asaph Nyakyikuru has been promoted from Colonel to the rank of Brigadier General.

Muhoozi in 2022 came under heated criticism from Kenyans after his online sentiments ignited the likelihood of a diplomatic clash between Kenya and Uganda.

On October 3, 2022, Muhoozi insinuated that former President Uhuru Kenyatta should have had a third term in office and would have whitewashed Ruto in the polls as well as former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

He then tore into Kenya's democracy and military capability by daringly stating that his army would capture the city of Nairobi in two weeks.

He thereafter changed his tune by stating that Kenyans were like his brothers and called for unity between Kenya and Uganda. This is after his comments smelt of an embarrassing diplomatic showdown between the two countries.

Amid the insensitive remarks, Museveni dropped his son as Commander of the Uganda People's Defence Forces Land Forces, but promoted him to full General, vacating his lower post immediately.

Former President Uhuru Kenyatta and General Muhoozi Kainerugaba. /TWITTER.MUHOOZI