KAMPALA, Uganda — Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has announced plans to relinquish the country’s top military position, saying he intends to dedicate his life to Christianity after handing over command to another officer.
In a statement posted on Friday, November 6, Muhoozi said he believed he had completed the responsibilities God had assigned him and was preparing to leave the office he has held since March 2024.
“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 stated.
However, the military chief later sought to clarify the timing of his departure, saying he would remain in the military for at least another year.
“Don’t worry, I’m still around. At least for another year,” Gen. Muhoozi said in a subsequent statement.
His comments have raised questions about when the leadership transition will take place, particularly because his initial announcement suggested a handover within months, while his later message pointed to a longer timeline.
He did not name a potential successor or provide a specific date for leaving the position.
Muhoozi proposes salary increase for ordinary soldiers
Alongside his announcement, Gen. Muhoozi renewed his commitment to improving the welfare of ordinary Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) personnel, proposing a substantial increase in the basic salary of soldiers serving at the rank of private.
He said every UPDF private should receive a basic monthly salary of 2 million Ugandan shillings, 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.
“But now, as I prepare to leave the military, every UPDF private must be paid Ush2,000,000 as his basic salary. This must start in the next financial year,” he added.
The proposal would represent a significant increase against previous salary figures discussed by Uganda’s Parliament.
In April 2026, legislators reported that the Defence Ministry had proposed raising the basic pay of UPDF privates from 650,000 to 816,280 Ugandan shillings, although the proposed adjustment faced funding constraints.
Gen. Muhoozi did not provide details on how the proposed 2 million shilling salary would be financed or whether the government had approved the increase.
His announcement therefore remains a proposal rather than a confirmed change to the military’s salary structure.
Museveni appointed Muhoozi military chief in 2024
Gen. Muhoozi was appointed Chief of Defence Forces(CDF) by his father, President Yoweri Museveni, on March 21, 2024, replacing General Wilson Mbasu Mbadi, who was subsequently appointed Minister of State for Trade.
He formally assumed office on March 28, 2024, placing him at the head of Uganda’s military command structure.
Before his appointment, Gen. Muhoozi had served in several senior military positions, including Commander of the Special Forces Command (SFC) and Commander of Land Forces. He also served as Senior Presidential Advisor in charge of Special Operations.
His military career began in 1999, and he received military training at institutions including the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in the United Kingdom.
His appointment as CDF attracted considerable attention because of his family relationship with Museveni and the longstanding speculation surrounding Uganda’s political succession.
Muhoozi’s 2031 presidential ambitions
The announcement comes amid renewed attention to Muhoozi’s political ambitions and speculation over who could eventually succeed Museveni, who has governed Uganda since 1986.
In August 2026, Muhoozi publicly declared his intention to contest the presidency in 2031, signalling his interest in succeeding his father.
The Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU), a political pressure group associated with Muhoozi, subsequently reinforced the 2031 ambition, with its leadership calling on supporters to back his prospective presidential bid.
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His latest announcement about leaving the military’s top position has therefore drawn attention to the relationship between his military career and his political future.
However, Gen. Muhoozi has not said that stepping down as CDF would automatically mark the start of a presidential campaign, nor has he outlined how he intends to balance his military responsibilities with his political ambitions.
The timing of any transition will also be significant given Uganda’s constitutional and legal framework governing the political activities of serving military officers.
For now, Muhoozi has indicated that he intends to hand over the CDF position to another qualified officer while assuring supporters that he will remain in the military for at least another year.
His proposed departure would mark a significant change in Uganda’s military leadership, although questions remain over the succession process, the timing of the handover and his next political steps.
