Ugandan President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has appointed his son, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba as the new Chief of Defense Forces in Uganda.
According to reports, Gen Muhoozi takes over from Gen Wilson Mbasu Mbadi who was transferred and appointed as the new Minister of Trade. This happened in the latest cabinet reshuffle by President Museveni.
Till his appointment as the new Chief of Defense Forces, Gen Muhoozi has been serving as his father’s senior Presidential advisor in charge of special operations in the country.
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Muhoozi appointment comes weeks after Museveni added more powers to the Chief of Defense seat by directing that the Chief be given the UPDF establishment 2021.
This gives the seat powers to command, control and administration of all elements of the Uganda People’s Defense Forces.
It has therefore emerged that Museveni transferred more powers to the then Chief of Defense Forces, Gen Wilson Mbasu Mbadi through which, his son, Gen Muhoozi will take over as the new total man in the forces.
However, many believe that Museveni is grooming Muhoozi for a power transition as the build up to the Uganda 2026 General elections heat up.
Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who has recently been holding rallies around the country, in violation of a law barring serving army officers from engaging in partisan politics says his activities are nonpartisan and aimed at encouraging patriotism among Ugandans.
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In a military statement on Thursday, Gen Muhoozi’s closest allies were also accorded top ministerial positions in the cabinet reshuffle by President Museveni.
Muhoozi has in the past been responsible for series of aggressive posts on X platform threatening to capture the capital of neighboring Kenya. He has previously served as the commander of an elite group of special forces protecting the first family.