Muhoozi Signals Exit as Uganda’s Military Chief, Calls for Higher Pay for Soldiers

Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, says he plans to hand over the country’s top military command in the coming months, but his remarks have left uncertainty over when he will actually leave the armed forces.

In a series of posts on X on November 5 and 6, the military chief said he believed his time as head of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) was coming to an end. He also announced plans to devote his life to Christianity after leaving the office.

“My time as CDF is coming to an end. I have accomplished all the tasks my God gave me. In a few months I will hand over this office to a qualified officer. I shall dedicate my life to Christ after that,” he wrote.

But in a separate message the following day, Muhoozi told his followers: “Don’t worry, I’m still around. At least for another year.”

He did not explain whether the second statement referred to his continued presence in the military, public life or both. Nor did he give a firm date for the handover or identify the officer expected to replace him.

The two messages leave an important distinction: Muhoozi has signalled an intention to relinquish the CDF position, but he has not announced an immediate departure from the military.

Soldiers’ pay becomes part of his exit message

Alongside the planned handover, Muhoozi has called for a major salary increase for ordinary soldiers.

He said every UPDF private should receive a basic monthly salary of UGX 2 million, with the proposed adjustment taking effect in the next financial year.

“My heroes have always been UPDF soldiers. We are struggling to improve their accommodation,” he said, adding that better pay should also be prioritised.

The proposal is significant against the background of Uganda’s ongoing debate over military remuneration. In April 2026, Uganda’s Parliament reported that the Defence Ministry and lawmakers had agreed on a proposed increase in the basic salary of privates from UGX 650,000 to UGX 816,280.

However, the planned adjustment had faced funding constraints. The ministry said the next pay enhancement had been held back because of a lack of funds.

Muhoozi’s proposed UGX 2 million salary would therefore go considerably further than the figure previously discussed by Parliament. But he has not provided details on how the increase would be funded, and there has been no confirmation that the government has approved it.

His comments also acknowledged that improving soldiers’ accommodation remains a challenge, suggesting that welfare issues are still unresolved.

A powerful office and an important appointment

Muhoozi became Chief of Defence Forces in March 2024 after President Yoweri Museveni appointed him to replace General Wilson Mbasu Mbadi.

He formally took over on March 28 at the UPDF’s 4th Division Headquarters in Gulu, becoming the 13th officer to hold the position. Mbadi was subsequently appointed Minister of State for Trade.

Before his appointment, Muhoozi had served as Commander of the Land Forces and as his father’s Senior Presidential Adviser on Special Operations.

His appointment attracted attention because of his close family relationship with Museveni, who has governed Uganda since 1986, and Muhoozi’s increasingly visible role in national political debate.

That background has made his latest announcement particularly significant. However, he has not said what he intends to do politically after leaving the military command, and his decision to dedicate more time to Christianity should not be taken as confirmation of any future political move.

Who decides the next military chief?

The transition will ultimately depend on the country’s constitutional and military appointment process, rather than Muhoozi’s announcement alone.

Uganda’s Constitution identifies the President as Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces. The Uganda People’s Defence Forces Act provides for the President to appoint an officer as Chief of Defence Forces, who heads the military and is responsible for its command, control, coordination and administration.

This means President Museveni has the formal authority to appoint Muhoozi’s successor. No replacement has been announced.

The UPDF’s published leadership listing continues to identify Muhoozi as Chief of Defence Forces, with Lieutenant General Samuel Okiding serving as his deputy.

For now, the announcement remains a statement of intent rather than a completed leadership change.

Muhoozi has offered no detailed timetable, named no successor and provided no explanation of what his role will be during the period he says he will remain around.

His proposed pay rise has also raised a separate question: whether the government can meet the financial demands of improving conditions for lower-ranking soldiers.

The coming months will show whether his planned handover proceeds as stated, who takes command of the UPDF and whether his call for better pay translates into an actual government decision.

About the Author

Maureen Onyango is a journalist passionate about storytelling, life coaching and spiritual lessons. She studied at the Kenya Institute of Management and enjoys telling stories that inform, inspire and empower communities.