Museveni Honours Son with Military Medal for Commanding Operations Against Al-Shabaab
Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni on Friday, February 6, awarded his son and Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, a prestigious military medal in recognition of his leadership in regional counterterrorism and stabilisation operations.
The award was presented during the 45th Tarehe Sita celebrations held in Kabale District, an annual event commemorating the launch of the National Resistance Army’s bush war in 1981. The ceremony brought together senior government officials, military commanders, and regional leaders to reflect on Uganda’s military history and current security engagements.
According to the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), the medal recognised General Kainerugaba’s role in commanding operations against the Al-Shabaab insurgency and overseeing missions in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), South Sudan, and Somalia. The army said his leadership contributed to improving operational readiness and effectiveness in complex and high-risk environments.
“He executed specialised operations with diligence and professionalism, ensuring force readiness and combat effectiveness in challenging theatres,” the UPDF said in an official statement.
The military further noted that General Kainerugaba had previously commanded counter-Al-Shabaab operations up to 2022 and directly led strategic missions aimed at neutralising terrorist threats and enhancing regional stability.
“He previously commanded operations against Al-Shabaab and executed strategic missions in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Republic of South Sudan, and Somalia, all aimed at eliminating terrorism and creating a stable region,” the statement added.
The recognition comes at a delicate diplomatic moment, as relations between Uganda and the United States face renewed strain following Uganda’s recently concluded elections and disagreements over funding for Ugandan troops deployed under international missions in Somalia.
In recent days, General Kainerugaba has publicly warned that Uganda could reconsider its military deployment in Somalia if funding concerns are not urgently addressed. In a series of social media posts on February 4, the army chief said the mission required substantial financial backing to remain sustainable.
“Unless we have serious discussions about financing for our mission in Somalia, we shall withdraw by the end of this year,” Muhoozi stated, estimating the annual funding requirement at approximately Ksh129 billion (USD 1 billion).
The remarks drew sharp reactions from Washington. U.S. Senator Jim Risch, the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, criticised the tone of the statements and questioned Uganda’s commitment to stability in the region. In a statement issued on January 30, Risch called for a reassessment of security cooperation with Kampala, including military partnerships with the UPDF.
He also dismissed an earlier public apology by General Kainerugaba to the United States, describing it as inadequate, and warned that Washington would not tolerate actions that could endanger American personnel, regional stability, or civilian lives.
The tensions follow international criticism and calls for sanctions over alleged human rights abuses linked to Uganda’s disputed elections. In response, General Kainerugaba had acknowledged that some of his earlier remarks were misinformed and had attracted global backlash.
Despite the friction, the CDF has insisted that diplomatic and military relations between Kampala and Washington remain intact. He said he had personally engaged with the U.S. Ambassador to Uganda and that cooperation between the two countries’ security forces was ongoing.
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Museveni Honours Son with Military Medal for Commanding Operations Against Al-Shabaab
