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Amlan Tumusiime standing with Army spokesman Gen Felix Kulaije
15th April 2026
YES, GENERAL MUHOOZI KAINERUGABA IS A RISING AND SHINING STAR OF AFRICA
Doctor Ken Giami, the London-based Nigerian founder and Executive Chairman of the African Leadership Organization, has occasionally described Uganda’s Chief of Defense Forces, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, as a rising and shining star of Africa.
Dr. Giami is an African entrepreneur, media owner, and a leading voice for Africa’s economic appeal. In 2013, the Georgia State Senate recognized his influential African Leadership Magazine for its role in promoting trade relations between Africa and the State of Georgia. In 2014, the then Maryland Governor, Martin O’Malley, signed a special Governor’s citation honoring him, and in 2015, he was awarded honorary citizenship of the State of Georgia. In 2018, Dr. Giami was honored at the National Press Club in Washington DC by the Multicultural Media Correspondents Awards as the International Journalist of the Year 2018. He has also been featured in The Washington Post, Atlanta Business Chronicle, and other international publications for bridging gaps between Africa and the rest of the world.
He has given awards of excellence to over twenty African presidents, both current and former, including President Yoweri Museveni, whom he presented with the African Leadership Peace Award in January 2020 in London.
This globally respected man identified special leadership traits in General Muhoozi and, in March this year, awarded him the African Continental Person of the Year Award at a function held in Accra, Ghana. Muhoozi was recognized for his strategic contributions to Uganda’s national and regional security. He was appreciated for his role in helping East African member states create peace and stability. Colonel Chris Magezi, the Army spokesperson, received the award on his behalf.
I agree with Dr. Giami’s description of General Muhoozi. Truly, he is doing a great job for Uganda and the East African region. As Chief of Defense Forces and Senior Special Advisor to the President in charge of special operations, his efforts in maintaining peace and stability are well recognized. Each time I write about him in New Vision, I receive positive feedback from readers both within and outside Uganda.
Muhoozi demonstrated true patriotism when he graduated from the University of Nottingham, UK, at age 23 in 1997 and chose to return home to serve his country. Despite having opportunities abroad, he prioritized national service over personal gain, showing commitment to Uganda’s security and development.
He is also credited with mobilizing over 100 fresh graduates from Makerere University to train as Local Defense Units at Kasenyi, aiming to create an elite guard. This initiative began even before he officially joined the army in 1999 and marked a key step in professionalizing the force.
Dr. Giami is therefore justified in calling him a rising star. Muhoozi is young yet highly trained, having attended renowned military institutions such as Sandhurst (UK), the Egyptian Military Academy, the United States Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, and the South African National Defense College.
Under such influence, Uganda’s army has transformed into a professional force, with many officers holding diplomas, degrees, master’s, and PhDs. Makerere University partners with the UPDF to offer defense studies programs, a development to which Muhoozi has contributed.
Muhoozi enjoys strong public support, evident during his birthday celebrations organized by supporters. His stance on zero tolerance to corruption has further increased his popularity. Reports indicate that since his appointment as CDF, corruption within the Defense Ministry has reduced significantly, saving large sums of public funds.
His tenure has also been marked by active regional diplomacy. He has engaged with leaders such as South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir, South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa, DR Congo’s President Felix Tshisekedi, and Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame, helping to strengthen regional relations and security cooperation.
He has also met various international diplomats and defense officials, including representatives from Denmark, the Netherlands, Russia, France, Kenya, Italy, China, and the European Union, reinforcing Uganda’s role in global and regional security discussions.
These high-level engagements confirm his growing influence and recognition both nationally and internationally.
I also support his involvement in overseeing road contracts before awarding them. This initiative aims to curb corruption, ensure quality work, and reduce inflated costs in government projects.
For example, in Kikuube District, a contractor quoted 12 billion shillings for constructing 60 housing units for soldiers, yet the UPDF engineering brigade completed the same work at 4.2 billion with better quality and timely delivery.
Similarly, the Kingfisher oil waste management facility in Kyangwali, constructed by Luwero Industries Limited in partnership with a Chinese company, demonstrated cost efficiency and quality. A local contractor would likely have tripled the cost.
Therefore, all efforts and ideas of General Muhoozi deserve support, as they contribute positively to Uganda’s development. Indeed, he is a rising and shining star of Africa.
Ends
The writer is Amlan Tumusiime, NRM Cadre
, https://eastafricanwatch.net/gen-muhoozi-is-an-upcoming-great-leader-in-africa-an-opinion-by-amlan-tumusiime/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=gen-muhoozi-is-an-upcoming-great-leader-in-africa-an-opinion-by-amlan-tumusiime
