Less than a week after he was controversially sworn in for his fifth consecutive term as the President of Uganda, Yoweri Museveni has appointed his 39-year-old son, Muhoozi kainerugaba, as the Major General of Uganda People’s Defense Forces, according to the Daily Monitor.
In a statement released on Monday by the Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF), Muhoozi, who currently heads Uganda’s Special Force Command (SFC), was promoted from the rank of brigadier to Major General.
Under Muhoozi’s command, the SFC provides security to the president, members of the first family and other important public installations.
General Muhoozi was promoted alongside other military officers like Major General Joram Mugume to Lieutenant General, Colonel Charles Lutaaya to Brigadier, Colonel Stephen Muzeyi Sabiti to Brigadier, and Colonel James B Mugabe to Brigadier, according to the Daily Monitor.
Quick Facts about Muhoozi
Born in 1974 in Dar es Salam, Tanzania, General Muhoozi is the first-born son of Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni. As a child, Muhoozi attended schools in Kenya, Tanzania and Sweden before moving to Kampala, Uganda in 1986 when his father became the President of Uganda.
During his career in the Ugandan army, General Muhoozi has attended various military academies in Egypt, South Africa and the US. He officially joined Uganda People’s Defense Forces in 1999.
Museveni under Heavy Criticism
Uganda’s opposition has consistently criticized Museveni’s move to promote his son, Muhoozi, through key ranks in the military, claiming that he is grooming him to take over the presidency when he retires.
Many of Museveni’s close family members hold key government positions including his wife, Janet Museveni, who serves as the Minister for Karamoja Affairs, according to BBC.
A popular Ugandan opposition politician, Hussein Kyanjo, was quoted by the BBC in a previous appointment as saying:
“He (Museveni) is making the Ugandan presidency a monarchical affair and is clearly anointing his son to succeed him.”
However, Museveni’s supporters have supported his son’s appointment saying he is a Ugandan like any other and has every right to hold any position in government including contesting for the presidency.
