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Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the new CDF | Friday, 22 March 2024, By Our Reporter
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President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni Tubuhaburwa, who doubles as the Commander -in-chief of Uganda’s armed forces , on Thursday evening appointed his son, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba the new Chief Defence Forces (UPDF).
Kainerugaba replaces Gen Wilson Mbadi who was appointed Minister of State for Trade in the new cabinet reshuffle announced on the same day.
Gen Muhoozi who has been serving as senior presidential advisor in charge of special operations, is also the chairman of MK movement , turned Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU), a political umbrella been traversing the country soliciting for his ( Muhoozi) as the next president.
However, his appointment as new CDF and his two strong chief mobilizers, Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi, his vice in charge of western region , and Lillian Aber, the Kitgum district woman legislator promoted to ministerial positions in the announced cabinet reshuffle on Thursday, leaves Kainerugaba’s supporters with many questions, whether is able to contest against his father come 2026 general elections.
Gen. Wilson Mbadi, former CDF appointed state minister for trade
Barugahara the events promoter and Aber, were appointed state minister for Relief, Disaster Preparedness Refugees and state minister for children and youth Affairs, respectively.
The law prohibits UPDF serving officers from participating in active politics, unless he retires or resigns.
According section 99, of the UPDF Act, 2025, states that a serving officer or militant who deserves to seek political office shall first resign or retire from the Defence forces….., and Article 208(02) of the Constitution prohibits members of the armed forces from participating in partisan activities.
President Museveni also promoted and appointed other senior UPDF officer to take up the new role in the reshuffle cofirimed by UPDF spokesperson, Brig. Felix Kulayige.
The promoted others include, 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. Maj Gen 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, and Special Forces Commando Force commander, Col Asaph Nyakikuru was also promoted from the rank of Colonel to Brigadier
