President Yoweri Museveni has appointed his son Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba as the new Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), replacing Gen Wilson Mbasu Mbadi, who was appointed Minister of State for Trade in the new cabinet reshuffle announced this evening.
Muhoozi has previously served as the Presidential Advisor for Special Operations. Additionally, he has led the Uganda Peoples Defence Forces (UPDF) as its Commander Land Forces and Commander of the Special Forces Command (SFC), the elite force responsible for guarding the president and the first family.
In a statement by UPDF spokesperson Brigadier General Felix Kulayigye, Lt General Samuel Okiding will serve as the new Deputy CDF.
Furthermore, Lt General Peter Elwelu, the former Deputy CDF, will henceforth serve as Museveni’s advisor.
In other appointments, Major General Eric Kyanda will become the new Defence Attaché, and Major General Jackson Bakasumba will assume the role of Joint Chief of Staff. Additionally, Brigadier General David Mugisha has been promoted to Major General, and Colonel Asaph Nyakyikuru has been promoted to Brigadier General.
“The UPDF fraternity congratulates the General officers on their new appointments and well-deserved promotions and wishes them good luck in their new assignments and ranks,” said Kulayigye.