Muhoozi Kainerugaba speaks out; I have sacrificed my life for Uganda

Major General Muhoozi Kainerugaba

He is President Yoweri Museveni’s son. He is also the ex commander of the SFC (special forces brigade), an elite unit charged with the protection of the president.

Major- General Muhoozi Kainerugaba was in January this appointed Senior Presidential Advisor for Special Operations.

Analysts have previously said Kainerugaba’s appointment was part of a plan to groom him to take over the top job

In the new posting, Muhoozi is in charge of the president’s security and other sensitive installations in the country.

I will serve this country in any role

The first son this evening in an exclusive interview with UBC’s political host Tony Owana said his recent appointment to Presidential Advisor role was not a “demotion” but a “tour of duty”.

A general tour of duty for soldiers comprises service that can last from half a year to four years.

“I was given other roles for which i could continue to serve the army outside the SFC”  Kainerugaba said.

The President’s son also gave a brief background of the transition of special elite presidential units such as PPU to now SFC and the professionalization of the army.

I was not lured into the army

Muhoozi who is an eloquent soldier rubbished talk that he was lured into the army by his Uncle, General Caleb Akandwanaho (Salim Saleh).

“I have always had interest in joining the army on my own. There was never any influence from my father or even my uncle. It is not true that i was lured like the public thinks” Muhoozi said.

Salim Saleh, is a presidential adviser while Muhoozi’s mother, Janet Museveni, is minister of education.

I nearly got killed in the line of duty

Kainerugaba said he had handled some “dangerous” operational assignments as a soldier with no favour as a president’s son.

He demystified talk that he had an “overly equipped battalion” specifically to protect him when his brigade of soldiers raided DRC in a bid to rout out remnants of the LRA rebels that had reportedly fled into the war-torn country then.

Muhoozi also said he nearly lost his life when LRA’s Tabu and his team ambushed Muhoozi’s battalion in Soroti.

I have a life of my own outside the presidency

Muhoozi Kainerugaba said he has his own life outside the army and the presidency.

True to that, Muhoozi in 2010 outed a book titled  Battles of the Ugandan Resistance; A tradition of maneuver.

He however said right now he is too busy to write. ” I would love to write some more when i get the time”

My promotions have all been on merit

Muhoozi said he has not been “fast tracked” in the military. He has risen quickly through the ranks since he joined the army in 1998

He said all his promotions have been ordinary transition from one step to the other in the army based on merit, qualifications and accomplishment of duty.

“I have not been favored. I have worked hard like any other soldier and risen through the ranks. Talk that i am where i am because i am the president’s son are false”

Muhoozi skipped some ranks to attain his present rank. He jumped two positions from 2nd Lieutenant to Major in 2001.

Muhoozi though is a graduate of Sandhurst college, the world’s most prestigious military academy. He has also attended specialised training courses in South Africa, Egypt, Nigeria and the US.

I have no plans to become president

The big talk, Muhoozi this evening dismissed long standing rumours that he was being groomed to succeed his father, General Museveni.

“I have no plans to succeed my father” he said

Asked whether his appointments in the army were a move to boost his political credentials, Kainerugaba said it that was totally false.

Political rivals have regularly accused the 72-year-old Museveni of handing powerful positions to members of his family to boost their chances at taking over when he retires, a claim he has always dismissed.

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