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 UGANDA'S MILITARY 

Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, fondly known as "MK", on Thursday took over the office of the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), vowing to improve the welfare of soldiers by fighting the evil of corruption and mismanagement of resources.

He has replaced Gen. Wilson Mbadi, who is the newly-appointed State Minister for Trade and Industry.

The handover ceremony took place at the UPDF 4th Division headquarters in Uganda's northern city of Gulu.

▪️  President Museveni appoints Muhoozi new CDF

Special Presidential Advisor on Defence and Security, Gen. Caleb Akandwanabo, commonly  known as Salim Saleh, presided over the function.

Saleh, who is also the chief coordinator of the Operation Wealth Creation (OWC) intervention congratulated both the incoming and outgoing CDFs upon their tour of duty and implored them to continue preserving their health.

He also urged them to cautiously uphold the first pillar of "Musevenomics", that is security of life and property for social economic transformation.

'UPDF principal pillar of State'

Taking over as the 13th CDF, Muhoozi promised that the UPDF under his charge would continue being professional, moral and  tackle comprehensive national security.

The 49-year-old general most recently served as Senior Presidential Advisor in Charge of Special Operations,  a pivotal role on the path to the top military spot.

Among his new tasks is to continue battling the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) terrorists, cattle rustling in Karamoja sub-region as well as cyberterrorism.

In his acceptance speech, Muhoozi thanked the President and Commander-in-Chief of the UPDF, Gen Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, for his wise stewardship that has grown the UPDF to what it is today.

"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," he said, adding that Ugandans can disagree on anything but that they should respect and support UPDF works.

He 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 one has achieved all.

Muhoozi further emphasized that having the best equipment, best uniforms, best education, best welfare and best accommodation can only be done by fighting corruption and mismanagement of resources.

He promised to work with every soldier to achieve what is expected of the forces.

"Continue with our role in securing the non-military aspects of security like environmental, cyber, and political security," he rallied the troops.

The new CDF also called upon troops to maintain their position as  defenders of African interests by defending emerging technologies.

'Strong sense of pride'

Speaking at the ceremony, former CDF Gen Mbadi congratulated his successor upon his new appointment. "I congratulate you for catching the eye of the appointing authority."

Mbadi further commended President Museveni for giving him the opportunity 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."

He further promised his willingness to sacrifice in order to maintain "our freedom, our security and our very existence as a Pearl of Africa".

Mbadi underscored the ongoing threats posed by inadequate defence budget, where defence continues to get only 47% of its required budget, extremist organizations (terrorists), sabotage, cross border tensions, cyber crimes and livestock theft, among others.

He, therefore, highlighted the need for vigilance, frugality, effective anti-corruption measures and improvization in countering their actions.

Mbadi was keen to underline that Uganda is calm and peaceful despite the infiltration of negative elements and negative political activism, environmental challenges and cross-border tensions from neighbouring eastern DR Congo, South Sudan and Somalia.

The instruments of power that were handed over to the new CDF included the Uganda Constitution, UPDF Act 2005, UPDF Doctrine, UPDF Defence Policy, UPDF Establishment 2020/21, MOD Policy Statement 2024/25 and National Defence Policy.

Other former CDFs include Gen. David Rubakuba Muhoozi, Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala, late Gen. Aronda Nyakairima, late Maj. Gen. James Kazini, Gen. Abubaker Jeje Odongo, Maj. Gen. Mugisha Muntu, Gen. Salim Saleh and late Gen. Elly Tumwine.

In Gulu, the handover function was attended by several officials from the defence ministry.