Uganda President Museveni appoints his son Muhoozi as Chief of Defence Forces

Uganda First Son Muhoozi Kainerugaba. He has been appointed Chief of Defence Forces by his father President Yoweri Museveni. FILE PHOTO | NMG

Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni has appointed his son Muhoozi Kainerugaba as the brand new Chief of Defence Forces (CDF).

Kainerugaba, 48, a basic within the navy, is broadly seen as his father’s successor in ready and as soon as stirred controversy by threatening to invade neighbouring Kenya. 

He replaces Gen Wilson Mbasu Mbadi, who has been eliminated and appointed Minister of State for Commerce within the new cupboard reshuffle introduced Thursday night. 

In 2022, Museveni eliminated his son as commander of Uganda’s land forces after he made threats to invade neighbouring Kenya in posts on social media platform X.

Within the posts, Kainerugaba additionally expressed assist for Russia’s President Vladimir Putin saying: “Nearly all of mankind (which might be non-white) assist Russia’s stand in Ukraine.”

Kainerugaba has lengthy been seen as being ready to take over the presidency from his father, 79, who has dominated Uganda for practically 40 years.

Though Ugandan legal guidelines bar serving navy officers from involvement in politics, Kainerugaba regularly trades barbs with opposition politicians and has additionally fashioned a stress group that has been mobilising political assist for him, drawing criticism from his critics and the opposition.

Uganda is because of maintain its subsequent presidential election in early 2026 and Museveni is broadly anticipated to hunt re-election.

Learn: Museveni hyperlinks his son Muhoozi’s rise to ruling get together weaknesses

Kainerugaba has been serving as his father’s senior presidential advisor in command of particular operations.

The appointment comes days after President Museveni on February 17 introduced the Uganda Individuals’s Defence Forces (UPDF) Institution 2021, an instrument of delegated Command, Management, and Administration, to then CDF Gen Mbadi, to command all parts of the military.

“By advantage of the powers enshrined below Article 98(1) of the 1995 Structure of the Republic of Uganda, and Part 8(1) and (2)(a) of the UPDF Act, 2005, yesterday, on February 17, 2024, on the Defence Council assembly, I introduced the UPDF Institution 2021, an instrument of delegated Command, Management, and Administration, to Normal Wilson Mbasu Mbadi, the Chief of Defence Forces of the UPDF, to command all parts of the Uganda Individuals’s Defence Forces,” Museveni mentioned in a February 18 assertion. 

Within the new appointments introduced Thursday night, Gen Museveni named Lt Gen Samuel Okiding because the deputy CDF. He replaces Gen Peter Elwelu whom the President named as one in all his senior advisors.

Learn: Uganda, Rwanda retire long-serving navy chiefs

Maj Gen Jackson Bakasumba replaces Maj Gen Leopold Eric Kyanda as the brand new Joint Chief of Workers. Maj Gen Kyanda has been appointed Defence attaché whereas the commander of the Particular Forces Command (SFC), Brig Gen David Mugisha has been promoted to Main Normal, based on Defence spokesperson, Brig Gen Felix Kulayigye.

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