PICTURES: Gen. Muhoozi pledges to improve army’s welfare as he takes over CDF office

Gulu: Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, popularly known as “MK,” has Thursday 28^th March 2024 assumed the office of the Chief of Defense Forces (CDF).

He promised to improve the welfare of soldiers by fighting corruption and the mismanagement of resources.

The ceremony was graced by Gen. Caleb Akandwanabo, commonly known as Salim Saleh, the Special Presidential Advisor on Defense and Security, who doubles as Chief Coordinator of Operation Wealth Creation (OWC) at 4th Division Headquarters in Gulu.

Gen. Saleh commended 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,” which is the security of life and property, for social and economic transformation.

Gen. Muhoozi replaced Gen. Wilson Mbadi, now appointed State Minister for Trade.

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

The 49-year-old  most recently served as Senior Presidential Advisor in Charge of Special Operations (SPA/SO), a pivotal post on the path to the top spot. Gen. MK’s current tasks, among others, are to continue battling ADF terrorists, cattle rustling in the Karamoja Sub-region, and cyber terrorism, among others.

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

“The 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. He added that Ugandans can disagree on anything but respect and support UPDF work.

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 they have achieved all.

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

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

“Continue with our role in securing the non-military aspects of security like environmental, cyber, and political security,” Gen. Muhoozi cautioned troops.

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

Speaking at the ceremony, the former CDF and now Minister of State for Trade and Industry, Gen. Mbadi, congratulated the incoming CDF, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, upon his new appointment as CDF.

“I congratulate you for catching the eye of the appointing authority,” Gen. Mbadi said.

He further sincerely commended the President and Commander in Chief of the UPDF, H.E. Gen. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, for giving him the great opportunity to serve at the helm of the country’s military. “It has been an exciting 33 months serving at the helm of the People’s Force, and it gives me a strong sense of pride,” he emphasized, adding that “UPDF is a family of great people that are bound together to serve our great country.”

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

He underscored the ongoing threats posed by an inadequate defense budget, where defense continues to get only 47% of its required budget, extremist organizations (terrorists), sabotage, cross-border tensions, cybercrimes, and livestock theft, among others, and henceforth highlighted the need for vigilance, frugality, effective anti-corruption measures, and improvisation in countering their actions.

Gen. Mbadi concluded by noting that the country is calm and peaceful despite the infiltration of negative elements, negative political activism, environmental challenges, and cross-border tensions from Eastern DR Congo, South Sudan, and Somalia.

Some of the achievements of UPDF so far include increased defense diplomacy, legal reforms, the creation of new institutions (like the National Defense College), the protection of military land, in-house fuel storage, partial salary enhancement, ideological refocus, environmental refocus, mobility capability, and budget increments, among others.

The instruments of power that were handed over to the incoming CDF included, but were not limited to, the Uganda Constitution, UPDF Act 2005, UPDF Doctrine, UPDF Defense Policy, UPDF Establishment 2020/21, MOD Policy Statement 2024/25, and National Defence Policy.

Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba comes in as the top army chief after Hon. Gen. Wilson Mbadi, Hon. Gen. David Rubakuba Muhoozi, Hon. Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala, the late Hon. Gen. Aronda Nyakairima, the late Maj. Gen. James Kazini, Hon. Gen. Abubaker Jeje Odongo, Maj. Gen. Mugisha Muntu, Gen. Caleb Akandwanabo, and others.

The function was also attended by the Permanent Secretary MODVA, Mrs. Rosettie Byengoma, UPDAF Under Secretary Finance and Administration, Mr. James Mutabazi, Director General of External Security Organization (ESO), Mr. Joseph Ocwet, former Director General of ESO, Hon. David Pulkol, and Chief Advisor OWC Ambassador Philip Idro.

Other attendees were: Commander of the African Transition Mission in Somalia, Lt Gen Sam Kavuma; Managing Director, National Enterprise Corporation (NEC), Lt Gen James Mugira; Special Presidential Advisor (designate), Hon Lt Gen Peter Elwelu; Commander, Reserve Force, Lt Gen Charles Otema Awanyi; Commander, Land Force, Lt Gen Kayanja Muhanga; former Joint Chief of Staff (JCOS), Maj Gen Leopold Kyanda; Commander, Special Forces Command (SFC), Maj Gen David Mugisha; and Deputy Commander, Air Force, Brig Gen Stephen Kiggundu, among other invited UPDF Generals, Service Commanders, Chiefs, and Directors.

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