President Museveni Awards Son Muhoozi Uganda’s Second-Highest Military Medal

KABALE, Uganda — President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has awarded his son, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the Kabalega Star Medal, Uganda’s second-highest military decoration, citing his leadership in operations in Somalia, the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan.

Museveni conferred the honor Friday during the 45th Tarehe Sita anniversary celebrations at Kabale National Teachers’ College in southwestern Uganda, held under the theme “Defending the Gains of the Revolution and Honouring the Sacrifice.” The Kabalega Star, named for 19th-century Bunyoro king Omukama Kabalega—renowned for resisting British colonial rule—ranks just below the Order of Katonga, the country’s highest military honor.

In the official citation, Muhoozi, the Chief of Defence Forces and Senior Presidential Adviser for Special Operations, was praised for courage, strategic leadership and contributions to the professional transformation of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces. He was credited with spearheading human-resource reforms in the UPDF and mobilizing a new generation of recruits to the force.

The citation highlighted his operational record, including Uganda’s engagements in Somalia—first under the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and later the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS)—as well as cross-border operations in the DRC and security missions in South Sudan. It also noted his role in stabilizing Teso, efforts to normalize relations between Uganda and Rwanda, and contributions to regional security.

Muhoozi received initial officer training at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in the United Kingdom and later completed advanced strategic courses. He began his career in the Presidential Protection Unit, helping to oversee its evolution into the Presidential Guard Brigade, then the Special Forces Group and ultimately the Special Forces Command. As an SFC commander, he led paratroopers and commandos in operations against the Allied Democratic Forces and took part in Operation Lightning Thunder, helping secure the Garamba Forest amid sustained pressure on the Lord’s Resistance Army.

Beyond command appointments, Muhoozi is the author of “Battles for the Ugandan Resistance: A Tradition of Maneuver” (2010), a text now referenced in military training institutions, according to the citation. He was described as instrumental in shaping the UPDF into a professional, disciplined and effective force for peace and stability in Uganda and the wider region.

Several senior officers were also honored for distinguished service during the Tarehe Sita ceremony, which annually commemorates the launch of the National Resistance Army’s armed struggle:

• Lt. Gen. Kayanja Muhanga received the Rwenzori Star Medal for his leadership as Commander of Land Forces, including oversight of UPDF operations against al-Shabaab in Somalia and missions in South Sudan and the DRC.
• Lt. Gen. Charles Okidi, Commander of the UPDF Air Force since 2022, was recognized for more than three decades of service and for coordinating Uganda’s air power projection in internal and external operations.
• Other recipients included Maj. Gen. James Kinalwa; Brig. Gen. Jimmy Musoke; Brig. Gen. Justice Rwodo; and several senior and junior officers drawn from the UPDF, police and prison services.

A posthumous medal was awarded to a Resistance officer killed during the liberation struggle, with his daughter receiving the honor on his behalf. Civilian security personnel and police officers, including those killed in the line of duty, were also recognized.

Museveni congratulated the awardees and urged them to wear their decorations with pride during national functions. He said detailed citations for honorees would be released to the media in due course.

By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.