Muhoozi is not being groomed for presidency

Jun 25, 2008

Maj. Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s graduation after completing his course at Fort Leavenworth in the US, on June 13, should be read correctly. It is not true that Maj Kainerugaba, also an alumnus of the prestigious Sandhurst Military Academy in the UK, is being groomed for the presidency.

Capt. Chris Magezi

Maj. Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s graduation after completing his course at Fort Leavenworth in the US, on June 13, should be read correctly. It is not true that Maj Kainerugaba, also an alumnus of the prestigious Sandhurst Military Academy in the UK, is being groomed for the presidency.

The theorists have been consistent every time Maj. Kainerugaba has travelled to attend military courses. They forget that it takes brilliance, focus and utter determination to make the grade in such world class military colleges. Some army officers have ever come back empty handed after failing to make the grade.

Therefore, we should join hands and applaud Maj. Kainerugaba for a job well done. This is despite the pressure on his shoulders by virtue of being the son of the President, which he has handled well and not let down the big name and image of his father and the UPDF. Nobody should worry about his deserved progress despite that fact that he is the son of the President.

On the contrary, he should be encouraged to stay on course just like other UPDF members who chose the tough military job for a career. Uganda has military exchange programmes with many countries. The UPDF continues to send its officers and men every year to military institutions around the world to interact, learn and train. This is one of the strategies to professionalise the army.

Prominent UPDF officers, who have trained at the much-acclaimed Fort Heaven Worth Military College include Gen. Aronda Nyakairima, Maj. Gen. Andrew Guti, Brig Kasirye Gwanga, Brig. Charles Angina, Brig. Nakibus Lakara, Col. Paul Lockech, and Lt. Col Joseph Musanyufu.Those who passed through Sandhurst Military Academy include Col. Wilson Mbadi, Lt. Col. Fred Ongia, Maj. Gumisirisa and Maj. Sabiiti Mutengesa.

Of late, the Senior Command and Staff College at Kimaka, Jinja has been doing Uganda proud with students now attending it from around the region. This is in fulfillment of the defence partnerships and exchange training programmes which, until now, where one-way.

Maj. Kainerugaba’s military career and training thus should be taken in the wider context of his readiness and desire to serve and sacrifice for his motherland. The great march of the UPDF from a ragtag army to a professional, pro-people army is not about to stop.

The writer is the acting Defence/ UPDF Spokesperson

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