CDF Muhoozi on cloud nine after son joins UPDF

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The Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, is on cloud nine after his son, Ruhamya Kainerugaba, joined the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) last month.

Muhoozi, who also serves as the Senior Presidential Advisor on Special Operations, took to X, formerly Twitter, on Monday (July 21) to announce the news.

“I’m extremely happy to announce that after 31 years in God’s Army, UPDF, God has blessed the House of [President Yoweri] Museveni with another soldier as of last month. Private Ruhamya Kainerugaba, may Almighty God bless him as He did me,” he posted.

Agriculture minister Frank Tumwebaze was among the notables who responded to the post.

“Oh, lovely. Congratulations to our dear son Ruhamya on choosing the soldiering profession. I wish him all the best as he serves motherland Uganda,” he said on X.

In April last year, President Museveni praised Gen. Muhoozi for joining the army in August 1999 out of patriotism and excellence, and thanked him for his contribution.

This was during a private birthday party at State House, Entebbe, for Muhoozi, a four-star general who had turned 50.

“I want to thank Muhoozi because he listens to me. When I advised him to join the army, he spent one year with his uncle Gen. [Salim] Saleh doing business, but I had told him my own view (that) whether you want to do business or not, army formation helps you to strengthen your character,” the President said.

Museveni, who is also the commander-in-chief of the UPDF, told the gathering that he had therefore advised Muhoozi to first join the army and pursue other interests later.

“He (Muhoozi) agreed and went to Sandhurst [military school], and I am sure it helped him greatly. I thank him for listening to my advice. When he came back, he added value to the army because he was in the army for patriotism and excellence,” the President said.

He also noted that careerism, job seeking, and searching for financial benefits in the army are among the factors that create challenges in African forces.

“Muhoozi was not looking for any of those. He was looking for patriotism and excellence of the army,” he said.

At the same function, the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Mrs Janet Museveni, said Muhoozi grew physically and in strength of character, with dedication to serving his homeland because he loved and obeyed the Lord.

“At 50 years of age, a husband of a beautiful wife, a father of four wonderful grown children and a Chief of Defence Forces of our nation, I believe that blessings and a sense of direction still originate from his relationship with the Lord,” she said.

Gen. Muhoozi’s wife, Charlotte, praised her husband for contributing significantly to the safety of Uganda and its people. She also commended him for professionalising the army and improving the welfare of soldiers.

“It is true to say you leave an indelible footprint in whichever military office you occupy,” she stated.