CDF Muhoozi hails security officers’ discipline, professionalism ahead of Museveni swearing-in

KAMPALA - Standing before hundreds of officers and soldiers, Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba has today, May 8, 2026, praised the participants for what he has described as their discipline, dedication and professionalism throughout the preparations.

“I want to congratulate the parade participants for putting up this good performance for the final rehearsal before D-Day, which will be Tuesday next week, the 12th of May,” Muhoozi said.

The CDF was addressing officers at Kololo Independence Ceremonial Grounds in Kampala city who had just completed the final rehearsals of the military parade in preparation for the swearing-in ceremony of President-elect Yoweri Museveni slated for Tuesday next week.

From high above the ceremonial grounds, about nine military paratroopers leapt from a hovering military chopper, descending from between 1,000 and 1,500 feet in a spectacular display of courage, precision, and discipline. (All Photos by Mpalanyi Ssentongo)

Before Muhoozi's address, the skies above the grounds roared to life in the morning as military aircraft sliced through the clear Kampala skies, sending waves of excitement through ranks of soldiers, security officers and invited officials.

Then came the moment that drew gasps, applause and visible admiration from many in attendance.

From high above the ceremonial grounds, about nine military paratroopers leapt from a hovering military chopper, descending from between 1,000 and 1,500 feet in a spectacular display of courage, precision, and discipline.

For a few seconds, all eyes turned skyward. The first paratrooper pierced through the blue skies at remarkable speed before landing sharply on the parade grounds, triggering cheers and excitement from sections of the security audience.

The others followed more gently, floating calmly and gracefully toward the Kololo grounds with the composure of seasoned air acrobats, their parachutes swaying steadily in the morning wind.

Around the grounds, senior military and security officers watched attentively, some nodding in approval as the rehearsals unfolded with synchronised precision.

The dramatic parachute display became one of the defining highlights of the day as Uganda’s security forces intensified preparations for Tuesday’s historic inauguration ceremony.

By 10:00am, Kololo had already transformed into a theatre of military coordination and ceremonial discipline.

Brass bands echoed across the expansive grounds. Boots struck the tarmac in unison. Commands rang through loudspeakers. Helicopters hovered overhead while fighter aircraft executed sharp aerial manoeuvres that drew attention from nearly everyone present.

“Thank you for the effort you have put in, and the parade is looking good,” Muhoozi told the soldiers. Even as he commended the forces, Muhoozi remained keenly attentive to detail, pointing out areas that still required correction before the main event.

He noted issues with timing between the brass band and sections of the marching formations, especially during the lowering of the flag.

“There was a bit of mistiming,” he said. He also pointed out interruptions in the parade music during the presidential inspection sequence, insisting that the music must remain continuous throughout the inspection.

“The music should be continuous while the inspection is going on. There shouldn’t be any breaks,” he said firmly.

At one point, the CDF injected a lighter moment into the address, reminding the band that some of his two favourite songs were missing from the rehearsals.

“Then I saw some of my songs are missing,” he remarked, drawing smiles from some officers nearby. “Ensure that my two songs are included, the usual ones that you know,” he said.

Security personnel who attended

The rehearsals brought together personnel from the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), the Uganda Police Force, and the Uganda Prisons Service.

Among the senior officials present were Felix Kulayigye, Commissioner General of Prisons Dr Johnson Byabashaija, and Inspector General of Police Abas Byakagaba.

Also present were Commander Land Forces Lieutenant General Kayanja Muhanga, Commander Air Force Lieutenant General Charles Okidi, Commander Artillery Division Major General Daniel Kakono, Commander Motorized Infantry Division Major General Charles Byanyima, and Joint Staff Human Resource Management Major General James Kinalwa.

Operational capabilities 

According to Colonel Chris Magezi, who was the master of ceremonies during the rehearsals, the parade is designed to showcase not only marching formations but also the operational capabilities and ceremonial strength of Uganda’s armed forces.

The rehearsals involved several military formations, including paratroopers under the Special Forces Command, field artillery units, motorised infantry divisions, anti-aircraft platforms, and multiple elements of the Uganda People’s Defence Air Force.

Aerial formations spectacle

The aerial formations added both spectacle and symbolism to the day’s rehearsals. The air displays included the Mi-17 helicopter carrying the national flag, the Mi-24 helicopter gunship, Sparrow Formation aircraft, Eagle Formation aircraft, Puma Formation jets, Cessna 172 aircraft, Caravan 208 aircraft, L-39 jets, and the Tiger Sukhoi-30 fighter jet.

As Magezi spoke, aircraft engines thundered overhead in carefully coordinated formations, occasionally causing heads to tilt upward and conversations to pause briefly as the machines streaked across the sky.

The music show

The rehearsals also demonstrated the role of ceremonial music in military tradition. The brass bands from the UPDF, Uganda Police Force, and Uganda Prisons Service performed throughout the drills under the command of Colonel Moses Ssentongo.

At various moments, the sound of drums, brass instruments, and marching rhythms rolled across the grounds, helping synchronise the parade formations while also adding emotional weight to the ceremony preparations.

Magezi explained that the parade is under the command of Brigadier General John Bosco Asinguza, commander of One Special Forces Group under the Special Forces Command, assisted by Colonel Stuart Agaba, Director of Operations Land Forces.

He further outlined how the actual inauguration ceremony will proceed on Tuesday, noting that key dignitaries, including the Chief of Defence Forces, the Chief Justice Flavian Zeija, and eventually President Museveni himself, will receive special ceremonial honours upon arrival at the grounds.

National pride, military excellence

Yet beyond the corrections and lighter comments, his speech carried a broader message about national pride, military excellence, and patriotism.

“Fellow officers, commanders, and gallant soldiers, today as we stand on this parade ground during the final rehearsal before the inauguration ceremony, I want to commend each one of you for the discipline, dedication, and professionalism you have demonstrated throughout this preparation,” he said.

He reminded the parade participants that an inauguration parade represents far more than synchronised marching.

“It is a symbol of the strength, dignity, unity, and pride of our nation. Every step you take, every salute you render, and every movement executed reflects the character and readiness of our armed forces before the country and the entire world,” Muhoozi said.

The CDF urged the soldiers to deliver perfection on Tuesday, emphasising turnout, discipline, timing, and endurance.

“Your turnout must be sharp. Your uniform must be immaculate, and your drill must be impeccable,” he stressed repeatedly.

He cautioned against avoidable mistakes and warned against soldiers collapsing during the ceremony, recalling incidents he had observed during the recent Tarehe Sita celebrations took place in the Kigezi subregion.

“Let’s not have cases of people beginning to collapse. Excellence is achieved through discipline, teamwork, and attention to detail,” he warned.

Throughout the rehearsals, several security personnel could be seen visibly appreciating the drills, particularly during the landings of paratroopers and coordinated aircraft formations.