By Frank Kamuntu
Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, fondly known as “MK,” has taken over the office of the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and vowed to improve the welfare of soldiers by fighting the evils of corruption and mismanagement of resources.
The Handover/Takeover, which took place in Gulu 4 Division Headquarters, was presided over by the Special Presidential Advisor on Defence and Security, and also Chief Coordinator of Operation Wealth Creation (OWC), Gen Caleb Akandwanaho, commonly known as Salim Saleh.
Gen Saleh congratulated both the Incoming and Outgoing CDFs upon their tour of duty and implored them to continue preserving their health.
He also urged them to cautiously uphold the first pillar of “Musevenomics,” which is security of life and property for social-economic transformation.
Gen Muhoozi replaces Outgoing Gen Wilson Mbadi, who is now appointed State Minister for Trade.
Taking over as the 13th CDF, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba promised that the UPDF under his charge would continue being professional, moral, and tackle comprehensive national security.
Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, 49 years old, most recently served as Senior Presidential Advisor in charge of Special Operations (SPA/SO), a pivotal post on the path to the top spot. Gen MK’s current tasks, among others, include continuing to battle ADF terrorists, cattle rustling in the Karamoja Sub-region, cyber-terrorism, among others.
The new CDF, Gen Muhoozi, in his acceptance speech, expressed his profound gratitude to the President and Commander-in-Chief of the UPDF, Gen Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, for his wise stewardship that has grown the UPDF to what it is today. “UPDF continues to be the principal pillar of the Ugandan state that all Ugandans respect. UPDF is the central institution of Uganda’s nationhood because entry into it is open to all Ugandans,” he said. He added that Ugandans can disagree on anything but respect and support the UPDF’s work.
He lauded the Outgoing CDF for a job well done in building a modern, professional force and implored soldiers to avoid the spirit of “arrivism,” thinking that they have achieved all.
Gen Muhoozi further emphasized that having the best equipment, best uniforms, best education, best welfare, and best accommodation, among others, can only be achieved by fighting corruption and mismanagement of resources.
He promised to work with every soldier to achieve what is expected of the forces. “Continue with our role in securing the non-military aspects of security like environmental, cyber, and political security,” Gen Muhoozi cautioned troops.
The new CDF also called upon troops to maintain their position as defenders of African interests by defending emerging technologies.
Speaking at the ceremony, the former CDF and now Minister of State for Trade and Industry, Gen Mbadi, congratulated the Incoming CDF, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, upon his new appointment as CDF. “I congratulate you for catching the eye of the appointing authority,” Gen Mbadi said.
He further sincerely commended the President and Commander-in-Chief of the UPDF, H.E Gen Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, for giving him the great opportunity to serve at the helm of the country’s military. “It has been an exciting 33 months serving at the helm of the Peoples’ Force, and it gives me a strong sense of pride,” he emphasized, adding that “UPDF is a family of great people who are bound together to serve our great country.”
He further promised his willingness to sacrifice to maintain our freedom, our security, and our very existence as the Pearl of Africa.
He underscored the ongoing threats posed by an inadequate defence budget where defence continues to get only 47% of its required budget, extremist organizations (terrorists), sabotage, cross-border tensions, cybercrimes, and livestock theft, among others, and henceforth highlighted the need for vigilance, frugality, effective anti-corruption measures, and improvisation in countering their actions.
Gen Mbadi concluded by noting that the country is calm and peaceful despite the infiltration of negative elements and negative political activism, environmental challenges, and cross-border tensions from Eastern DR Congo, South Sudan, and Somalia.
Some of the achievements of the UPDF so far include increased defence diplomacy, legal reforms, creation of new institutions (like the National Defence College), protection of military land, in-house fuel storage, partial salary enhancement, ideological refocus, environmental refocus, mobility capability, and budget increment, among others.
The instruments of power that were handed over to the Incoming CDF included but were not limited to the Uganda Constitution, UPDF Act 2005, UPDF Doctrine, UPDF Defence Policy, UPDF Establishment 2020/21, MOD Policy Statement 2024/25, and National Defence Policy.
Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba comes in as the top army chief after Hon. Gen Wilson Mbadi, Hon. Gen David Rubakuba Muhoozi, Hon. Gen Edward Katumba Wamala, Late Hon. Gen Aronda Nyakairima, Late Maj Gen James Kazini, Hon. Gen Abubaker Jeje Odongo, Maj Gen Mugisha Muntu, Gen Caleb Akandwanaho, Late Gen Elly Tumwine, and others.
The function was also attended by the Permanent Secretary MODVA, Mrs. Rosette Byengoma; UPDF – Air Forces Under Secretary Finance and Administration Mr James Mutabazi, Director-General of External Security Organisation (ESO) Mr. Joseph Ocwet, former Director-General of ESO Hon. David Pulkol and Chief Advisor OWC Ambassador Philip Idro.
Other attendees were: Force Commander of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia Lt Gen Sam Kavuma, Managing Director National Enterprise Corporation (NEC) Lt Gen James Mugira, Special Presidential Advisor (designate) Hon. Lt Gen Peter Elwelu, Commander Reserve Forces Lt Gen Charles Otema Awanyi, Commander Land Forces Lt Gen Kayanja Muhanga, former Joint Chief of Staff (JCOS) Maj Gen Leopold Kyanda, Commander Special Forces Command (SFC) Maj Gen David Mugisha, Deputy Commander UPDF – Air Forces Brig Gen Stephen Kiggundu, among other invited UPDF Generals, Service Commanders, Chiefs, and Directors.
