President Yoweri Museveni has dropped General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, from his position as Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) in a major military reshuffle that has sent shockwaves through Uganda’s security establishment.
He replaced Muhoozi with General Kale Kayihura, a former bush war hero and ex-Inspector General of Police (IGP), as the new CDF. Kayihura has been out of government since his dismissal from the police force several years ago.
A Strategic Move Ahead of 2026?
Sources within the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) and the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) suggest that Muhoozi’s removal could be a calculated political move ahead of the 2026 general elections.
“Gen. Muhoozi’s tweets on X (formerly Twitter) have alienated some people, and as the elections approach, concerns were growing within the NRM,” a member of the party’s Central Executive Committee (CEC) revealed. “The President may have decided to sack Muhoozi to prevent further discontent and a possible voter shift toward the opposition.”
A senior UPDF officer, speaking anonymously, hinted that Muhoozi’s controversial social media activity may have violated military regulations. “Soldiers are prohibited from making political statements, yet Gen. Muhoozi, with his political ambitions, has frequently targeted NUP leaders online,” the officer noted.
Muhoozi’s Next Role?
Some political analysts believe that rather than sidelining Muhoozi, Museveni may be positioning him for a more strategic role in the 2026 elections.
“The President has previously expressed concerns about the harassment of NRM supporters, particularly in Buganda, during elections,” one analyst observed. “This reshuffle could be about preparing Muhoozi for a key security role in ensuring election safety.”
The UPDF has already requested over 300 billion Ugandan shillings for election-related security operations, raising speculation that a special military office may be created to oversee campaign security.
Despite multiple attempts, Muhoozi and Kayihura were unavailable for comment. However, there’s one crucial detail worth noting—today is April 1st, April Fools’ Day.
As is tradition, April Fools’ Day is a time for pranks and hoaxes, often involving the media. Whether this announcement is an elaborate joke or a real shake-up remains to be seen.
