Kampala, Uganda | NOW THEN DIGITAL — President Museveni, exercising his authority under Article 98(1) of the 1995 Constitution of the Republic of Uganda and Section 8(1) and (2)(a) of the UPDF Act, 2005, has designated his son, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, as the new Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), succeeding Gen Wilson Mbasu Mbadi, who assumes the role of Minister of State for trade in the latest cabinet reshuffle unveiled this evening.
Gen Muhoozi, previously serving as his father’s senior presidential advisor overseeing special operations, steps into this pivotal role.
This decision follows President Museveni’s presentation of the UPDF Establishment 2021, a document delegating Command, Control, and Administration, to then CDF Gen Mbadi on February 17. This document empowers the designated authority to oversee all facets of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF).
“In compliance with the aforementioned constitutional and statutory provisions, I, as the Commander in Chief, announced at the Defence Council meeting on February 17, 2024, the conveyance of the UPDF Establishment 2021 to General Wilson Mbasu Mbadi, entrusting him with the command of all UPDF elements,” stated Gen (rtd) Museveni in a release dated February 18.
In the recent appointments disclosed on Thursday evening, Gen Museveni appointed Lt Gen Samuel Okiding as the deputy CDF, replacing Gen Peter Elwelu, who now assumes a role as one of the president’s senior advisors.
Maj Gen Jackson Bakasumba takes over as the new Joint Chief of Staff, succeeding Maj Gen Leopold Eric Kyanda, who now serves as Defence attaché. Additionally, Brig Gen David Mugisha, the commander of the Special Forces Command (SFC), has been elevated to the rank of Major General, as confirmed by Defence spokesperson, Brig Gen Felix Kulayigye.
Further, Asaph Nyakyikuru, formerly the Commando Brigade commander, has been promoted from Colonel to Brigadier General.
