Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has appointed his son, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, as the new Chief of Defence Forces (CDF). The appointment is one in many controversial moves in a country where many have long believed Museveni is grooming his eldest child for the presidency.
The announcement of Muhoozi’s appointment as the new military boss was made on Thursday evening during a Cabinet reshuffle by President Museveni.
General Muhoozi succeeds Gen Mbasu Mbadi, who has been appointed as Minister for Trade.
Prior to his appointment as CDF, Muhoozi served as his father’s senior presidential advisor in charge of special operations.
Two of his closest advisors have been given ministerial posts in a reshuffle of government ministers, also announced late Thursday.
General Muhoozi has previously stated his intention to succeed his father as the next president.
Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has recently been holding rallies around the country, in violation of a law barring serving army officers from engaging in partisan politics. But Kainerugaba says his activities — including the recent launch of an activist group known as the Patriotic League of Uganda — are nonpartisan and aimed at encouraging patriotism among Ugandans.
