Museveni Appoints Gen. Kainerugaba CDF Amidst Cabinet Reshuffle

President Yoweri Museveni has exercised his mandate as the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces and appointed his son, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who is also the Senior Presidential Advisor on Special Operations, as the new Chief of Defence Forces (CDF).

Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba replaces Gen. Wilson Mbasu Mbadi, who has been appointed as the Minister of State for Trade and Cooperatives in the latest Cabinet reshuffle.

The CDF is the head of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces. He is responsible for the administration and the operational control of the Ugandan military.

According to a statement released by the Defence spokesperson Brig.Gen Felix Kulayigye, Lt Gen Sam Okiding has been appointed as the Deputy Chief of Defence Forces, replacing Gen Peter Elwelu, who has been appointed as a Senior Presidential Advisor.

Furthermore, UPDF Chief of Staff Land Force Maj Gen Jack Agonza Bakasumba has been promoted to Joint Chief of Staff. Major General Leopard Eric Kyanda has been appointed as the Defence Attaché.

Major General Jackson Bakasumba has been appointed as the Joint Chief of Staff, while Brigadier Gen David Mugisha has been promoted to Major General, and Col Aspah Nyakyikuru has been promoted to Brigadier General.

Who is Muhoozi Kainerugaba

Gen. Kainerugaba, born on April 24, 1974, is also the leader the recently launched civic organisation, the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU).

Muhoozi has held various military positions, including commander of the Special Forces Command (SFC) from 2008 to 2017 and again from December 2020 to 2021. He also served as the commander of the land forces of the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) from June 24, 2021, to October 4, 2022.

His career in the military started in 1999 when he joined the UPDF as an officer cadet. He graduated from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in 2000 and has since undergone various military training programs, including those in Egypt, the United States, and South Africa.

Throughout his career, Gen. Kainerugaba has been involved in several military operations, including commanding the defeat of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) in Bundibugyo in 2007 and participating in “Operation Lightning Thunder” in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 2008. However, his tenure has not been without controversies, including allegations of involvement in political affairs.

Despite his military background, the General has been active on social media, particularly X, where he has garnered attention for his outspokenness on various socio-political issues.