Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has announced that he plans to step down from the position in the coming months, two years after his appointment.
In a statement on Friday, November 6, Muhoozi said he had completed what he considered his assignment as head of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) and would hand over to another officer.
“My time as CDF is coming to an end. I have accomplished all the tasks my God gave me. In a few months, I will hand over this office to a qualified officer. I shall dedicate my life to Christ after that,” he said.
He was, however, quick to clarify that he was not leaving the military immediately, saying he would remain in service for at least another year.
Muhoozi also used the announcement to raise concerns about the welfare of ordinary soldiers, saying he wanted to see their pay improved before his departure.
He proposed that every UPDF private should receive a basic monthly salary of Ush2 million, equivalent to about Ksh64,220, from the next financial year.
“Don’t worry, I’m still around. At least for another year. My heroes have always been UPDF soldiers. We are struggling to improve their accommodation,” he said.
He added that improving the pay of junior officers was among the issues he wanted addressed as he prepared to leave the military.
The general also defended his approach to leadership, arguing that the position of military chief required a strong commander rather than a diplomat.
Muhoozi’s military career
The President of the Republic of Uganda, Yoweri Museveni, has recently appointed his son as the Chief of Defence Forces in the place of General Wilson Mbasu Mbadi who has been made the Trade Minister.
Muhoozi entered the Ugandan army in 1999 after being educated at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in Great Britain.
Prior to the current appointment, he held the positions of the Commander of the Special Forces Command and Commander of Land Forces as well as Senior Presidential Advisor responsible for Special Operations.
It is possible that the new appointment will make people think about the son’s political intentions especially taking into consideration the rumors about the successor of the sitting President.
The President of Uganda Museveni has been ruling the country since 1986 and Muhoozi has already openly talked about his desire to become the next President of the country.
On August 2026, he officially announced his intention to run for the presidential elections in 2031.
