Corruption in defence ministry has reduced by 85%, says CDF Muhoozi

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Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has said corruption in the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs has reduced by 85% since they took command two years ago.

“There is corruption in our country, but I can assure all of you that in the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs, it has reduced by 85% since we took command,” he said on social media platform X on Friday (April 10).

He was appointed as CDF by President Yoweri Museveni on March 21, 2024, and took over the office seven days later, marking a significant shift in the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF).

Analysts say if his first two years as CDF are anything to go by, the next phase of his leadership promises greater reforms and achievements.

They note that his leadership has been defined by a strong stance on anti-corruption, a reinvigoration of military diplomacy, notable operational achievements, and a resolute push for military jurisdiction.

In February 2024, the CDF warned any individuals or groups with corrupt motives to reform or leave the UPDF.

“Any individual or group with selfish interests such as corruption, misappropriation of resources, or mismanagement of whatever kind should reform immediately, or better still, leave our cherished UPDF before they are found,” he said.

He vowed to take decisive action against anyone who undermines the UPDF’s combat power and troop welfare through mismanagement.

Col. Chris Magezi, the acting director of defence public information, told New Vision Online in a recent interview that Gen. Muhoozi is highly revered in the UPDF.

“He is, on his own, a force multiplier, and that is to put it mildly,” Magezi, who is also one of his military assistants, said.

He noted that the four-star general’s track record, from his time as the commander of the UPDF Special Operations Forces, Commander of the Land Forces, and now as CDF, is unmatched.

“No one before Gen. Kainerugaba has achieved so much in a very short time. He has always had a positively exponential effect on soldiers' welfare, training, and lethality, the latter in terms of acquisition of modern and cutting-edge military equipment,” he stated.

Magezi also noted that the CDF, who is also the Senior Presidential Advisor on Special Operations, has been big on infrastructural projects such as troop accommodation facilities, working space (offices), and training facilities.

“He is determined that his soldiers, whom he loves dearly, will never live like cavemen again. In sum, Gen. Kainerugaba is a transformer, and the UPDF is very lucky to have him,” he said.

He described the CDF, who is also the First Son and fondly known by his initials MK, as a jolly person.

“His humour is also next level, and those who are not familiar with him find it hard to keep up. In a way, he comes off as an enigmatic and mercurial General to some, but he is the easiest person to get along with,” Magezi told New Vision.

But, Magezi hastened to add, Gen Muhoozi is exceedingly impatient with mediocrity, the corrupt, and the lazy or unserious.

“He demands, without exception, value for money in every endeavour undertaken. You therefore do not wish, and should never get on the wrong side with him. To do so would spell disaster to your very being, literally,” he said.

Museveni hails Muhoozi

On September 10, 2024, President Museveni hailed Gen. Muhoozi for fighting the misuse of army resources by building barracks.

“There is also the misuse of army resources. The present CDF started fighting that some time ago when he took over the command of SFC [Special Forces Command] and the Land Forces. He was able to use the money that was being misused to build barracks for soldiers,” he said.

The President, who is also the commander-in-chief of UPDF, made the remarks while presiding over the first-ever Kampala Defence and Security Expo 2024 at Speke Resort Munyonyo in Kampala.

He noted that Gen. Muhoozi might not want to blow his own trumpet.

“He may not talk about it because he may not want to boast, but I know. That is why I appointed him as commander of Land Forces, because when I made him commander of SFC, there was money that was being used as ‘airtime’. If he wants, he can tell you how he converted ‘airtime’ into barracks without new money,” he said.