Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni’s son has pledged to fight corruption in the military after taking over as Chief Of Defense Forces. This move is likely to accelerate his rise to successor to his father.
Museveni, 79, who has led Uganda for 38 years, last week named his son Muhoozi Kainerugaba, 49, as the east African country’s new defense force chief.At a formal handover ceremony on Thursday, Kainerugaba vowed to “improve the welfare of soldiers by combating the evils of corruption and mismanagement of resources,” a military statement said.
General Muhoozi, who was appointed leader of the Uganda Army last Thursday, expressed hope that the new leadership will “fight only for the best for the men and women in uniform, the best equipment, the best accommodation and better healthcare “, the best uniforms, the best education for children, etc.”
And he quickly added: “This can only be achieved by combating the evils of corruption and mismanagement of resources.””
His comments come amid President Museveni’s complaints that the UPDF is struggling with endemic corruption.
“It is true that there is corruption in the UPDF now, they should not lie and say that there is no corruption. There was corruption, for example the theft of fuel, some of the money and some other mistakes “ Museveni said during the Tarehe Sita breakfast at the Kololo ceremonial ground in Kampala recently.
In May 2023, Museveni accused senior UPDF officers of stealing money intended for Local Defense Units (LDUS) deployed in the turbulent Karamoja region.Museveni said that the LDUs “were paid half the salary paid to a full-time soldier in the army,” adding: “However, apparently some thieving army officers started stealing their money and not paying it.”
In his speech, 49-year-old Muhoozi called on “all officers and men of the UPDF to join us in banishing this curse (corruption) from our beloved army forever.”
He stressed: “There was a time when the issue of ghosts was a major problem for this troupe. But we managed to close this chapter. I believe that corruption and mismanagement of resources will also be a chapter that we will close in the future of the UPDF.”
The former land forces chief thanked the outgoing CDF, General Mbadi, for all the work he did with his team did in setting up the UPDF.
“General Mbadi is an officer I have always respected and I know he will do very well in his new role,” Muhoozi said.
Muhoozi Added: “The UPDF remains the main pillar of Uganda. Ugandans can have different opinions on many things: politics, how the economy works; about inaction against the scourge of corruption etc. but everyone respects and reveres the UPDF. The UPDF is the central institution of the Ugandan nation. This is because entry into its ranks is open to all Ugandans, regardless of their origins and circumstances.Therefore, the responsibility we bear is enormous and goes beyond traditional safety regulations.”
Configuration of Operations:
The former special forces commander also urged the UPDF to be on the lookout for enemies who are well aware of the UPDF’s working methods.
“I think most people in this room have heard the term “operational design” through their military training. Setting operations are operations that create and maintain the conditions for success for critical operations. All non-military roles we play shape military operations or kinetic operations. Therefore, we must continue our role in ensuring non-military aspects of security, political security, economic security, food security, information security, cybersecurity and environmental security.In other words, one of the implicit missions of the UPDF is comprehensive national security. This is the only way we can preserve our way of life in the face of the complex threats we face today. Anyone who wants to destabilize Uganda knows how to structure their operations. Then they also use it to counteract us. We must be aware of this and not give them this opportunity.” Muhoozi Said.
Global Trends:
Muhoozi also hinted at the multipolar world and its impact on the Ugandan military.
“As the global balance of power tilts increasingly towards a multipolar world with the rise of powers such as China, India, Russia, Brazil, Turkey, etc., this presents dangers but also opportunities.” Muhoozi Said.
“The UPDF must maintain its position as a champion of Africans and defenders of African interests. The only way to achieve this is to fully embrace and internalize all new and emerging technologies, We have done this before.A good example is the tank and artillery brigades. But we still face some challenges, for example with the Air Force. We have not yet managed to be alone in our air force,” emphasized Muhoozi.
Arrivalism:
“As Mzee (Museveni) always says, we must resist the spirit of arrival and think that we have done everything and therefore have nothing left to strive for. This has destroyed other armies and revolutionary movements in other parts of Africa. We know from military history that those who lost wars always prepared to fight yesterday’s wars again. They did not focus on today’s revolutions and tomorrow’s military affairs. Mzee also says that we should never be a scout movement like other armies in Africa.You are absolutely right. Our task must always be to get close to the enemy and destroy them quickly and very aggressively. Our training schools must spread this spirit among our young officers and soldiers.”
“These young officers and soldiers are the future of this army and must be educated in these values and in our history.” He Added.
In his speech, General Mbadi Muhoozi advised using what he described as the formula for success: the process of consulting with others established forums and collective responsibility for decisions made with other teammates.
“These people have different backgrounds and experiences. Always seek the opinion of the Commander in Chief. Climb the mountain to the top, but always remember to go down and connect with the people above at all levels of the mountain. It is desirable and will make your work much easier. They are very good people, they use everyone according to their abilities,” Mbadi said.
“Strive to always be fair and give officers the opportunity to be heard when allegations are made against them. This is simply the basic natural justice that is always talked about. Be a leader of all and never judge or judge anyone without giving them the opportunity to be heard.” He Added.
General Salim Saleh, who chaired the event, congratulated Muhoozi and Mbadi on their new appointments and urged them to be healthy to stay.He also called on the duo to defend the first pillar of “Musevenomics”: security of life and property for social and economic transformation.
General Muhoozi occupies the position of Chief of Army Staff with General Wilson Mbadi, General David Rubakuba Muhoozi, General Edward Katumba Wamala, General Aronda Nyakairima, General James Kazini, General Abubaker Jeje Odongo, General Mugisha Muntu, General Caleb Akandwanabo and the last generation Elly Tumwine and others.
The event was also attended by the Permanent Secretary of MODVA, Mrs. Rosettie Byengoma, the Undersecretary of Finance and Administration of the UPDAF, Mr. James Mutabazi, the Director General of the External Security Organization (ESO), Mr. Joseph Ocwet. former ESO Director General Hon David Pulkol and Senior Advisor OWC Ambassador Philip Idro.
Other participants included: Commander of the African Transition Mission in Somalia, Lieutenant General Sam Kavuma, Director General of the National Enterprise Corporation (NEC), Lieutenant General James Mugira, Special Adviser to the President-designate, Honorable Lieutenant General Peter Elwelu, Commander, Lieutenant General of the Reserve Force Charles Otema Awanyi, Land Force Commander, Lt. Gen. Kayanja Muhanga, former Chief of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCOS), Maj. Gen. Leopold Kyanda, Commander, Special Forces Command (SFC), Maj. Gen. David Mugisha, Air Force Deputy Commander,Brigadier General Stephen Kiggundu, UPDF Generals, Service Commanders, Chiefs and Directors among other guests.
The Ugandan military plays an important role in regional peace and has contingents in Somalia and the Democratic Republic of Congo, where troops are helping fight Islamist insurgents.
Uganda’s opposition has accused Museveni of accelerating his son’s military career to prepare him to take political power.Museveni has denied grooming him for the presidency.In 2022, Museveni dismissed Kainerugaba from his post as commander of the Uganda Land Forces after he said in posts on the social media platform that the threats were a joke.
