Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni has appointed his son General Muhoozi Kainerugaba as the new Chief of Defence Forces (CDF).

Gen Kainerugaba succeeds Gen Wilson Mbasu Mbadi who was appointed Minister of State for Trade in the new cabinet reshuffle announced Thursday evening.

He previously served as the head of Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) from June 2021 to October 4, 2022 when he was removed following controversial tweets about capturing Kenya’s capital city Nairobi.

Prior to heading UPDF, Museveni’s son was appointed as commander of the Special Forces Command from 2008 to 2017, and re-appointed to the same position between 2020 and 2021.

Gen Kainerugaba joined the army in the 90s and risen through the ranks over the years.

In Museveni’s latest cabinet reshuffle, Oboth Markson Jacob was appointed as the Minister of Defence and Veterans Affairs, replacing Vincent Ssempija.

Various officials within the docket were also promoted. Lt Gen Peter Elwelu was appointed as a Senior Presidential Advisor. Maj Gen Leopold Eric Kyanda rose to the rank of Defence attaché.

Maj Gen Jackson Bakasumba is the new Joint Chief of Staff. Brig Gen David Mugisha and Col Asaph Nyakyikuru were promoted to major General and Brigadier General respectively.