Gulu, (UG): Uganda’s First son and Senior Presidential Advisor on Special Operations, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba officially assumed office as Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) on Thursday, March 28 in Gulu City.
The official handover ceremony took place at the army’s 4th Division Headquarters, presided over by Caleb Akandwanabo alias Salim Saleh, the Special Presidential Advisor on Defence and Security and also Chief Coordinator of Operation Wealth Creation (OWC).
Gen Muhoozi takes over from Gen Wilson Mbadi, who President Museveni dropped as army chief and sent him to cabinet as State Minister for Trade.
In his acceptance speech after being enthroned as the 13th CDF, Gen Muhoozi vowed to improve the welfare of soldiers by fighting the evil of corruption and mismanagement of resources and said the UPDF under command will continue being professional, morally upright and tackle comprehensive national security.
“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,” Gen Muhoozi said, adding that Ugandans can disagree on anything but should respect and support UPDF works.
Muhoozi also 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.
According to Gen Muhoozi, to have the best equipment, the best uniforms, education, welfare, and accommodation, among others; can only be done by fighting corruption and mismanagement of resources and promising to work with every soldier to achieve what is expected of the forces.
He further called upon troops to maintain their position as defenders of African interests by exploring emerging technologies.
The outgoing CDF, Gen Mbadi congratulated Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba upon his new appointment and commended the head of state for allowing him 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. UPDF is a family of great people that are bound together to serve our great country,” said Gen Mbadi, now Minister of State for Trade in Museveni’s cabinet
Despite many successes achieved by the UPDF, Gen Mbadi decried the inadequate budget allocated to the army, saying 47 per cent of the required budget is faced with threats from extremist organizations (terrorists), sabotage, cross-border tensions, cybercrimes and livestock theft, among others.
Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba comes in as the top army chief after Hon Gen Wilson Mbadi, 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 Akandwanabo, Late Gen Elly Tumwine and others.
Gen Saleh in his remarks expressed gratitude to the UPDF leadership for its continued growth and professionalism. He said that witnessing such a handover and takeover was like a movie, considering how changes in military leadership used to be in the early stages of the UPDF.
The function was also attended by the Permanent Secretary Ministry Of Defence and Veteran Affairs Ms Rosettie Byengoma, UPDAF Under Secretary of 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 among others.
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.
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