Uganda's Chief of Defence Forces, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has announced plans to step down from the country's top military position in the coming months, saying he intends to dedicate the next stage of his life to his Christian faith.


Kainerugaba, the son of President Yoweri Museveni, made the announcement in statements shared on X on Thursday night and reported widely on Friday, 6 November 2026.

The general said he believed he had completed the responsibilities entrusted to him by God and was preparing to transfer leadership of the Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) to another officer.


He indicated that the handover could take place within a few months but did not identify a successor or give a precise departure date.


The announcement comes more than two years after Museveni appointed his son to lead Uganda's military and as the country continues to debate its future political leadership.


No formal change of command has been announced by the Ugandan authorities.

Muhoozi says he wants to dedicate his life to Christ


In his announcement, Kainerugaba described his time at the head of the armed forces as approaching its conclusion.


He said he intended to hand over the office to a suitably qualified officer, adding that he would dedicate his life to Christ after leaving the position.


In a subsequent message, he reassured followers that he would remain around for at least another year.


The remarks leave some uncertainty about the transition timetable, including how long he intends to remain in active military service after relinquishing command.


His announcement should therefore be understood as a statement of intention rather than confirmation of an immediate resignation or an already completed transfer of authority.


Uganda's Ministry of Defence continued to identify Kainerugaba as Chief of Defence Forces in the official leadership information available during reporting.


Army chief calls for better pay and housing for soldiers


Alongside his announcement, Kainerugaba raised concerns about the welfare of ordinary members of Uganda's armed forces.


He said the military continued to face challenges in improving accommodation for personnel and urged authorities to increase the basic monthly salary of UPDF privates to two million Ugandan shillings.


Kainerugaba proposed that the increase should take effect in the next financial year.


The statement reflects his emphasis on soldiers' welfare, a subject he also highlighted when assuming command of the UPDF in March 2024.


At that time, he pledged to address corruption, strengthen professionalism and improve the management of military resources.


However, the proposed salary increase has not been independently confirmed as an approved government measure.


It remains a proposal expressed by the military chief, rather than an established pay policy or budget allocation.


More than two years leading Uganda's military

Kainerugaba was appointed Chief of Defence Forces on 21 March 2024, replacing General Wilson Mbasu Mbadi, who subsequently became Minister of State for Trade.


He formally assumed office on 28 March 2024 during a handover ceremony at the UPDF's Fourth Division headquarters in Gulu.


The appointment made him the 13th Chief of Defence Forces in Uganda's military history.


Before taking the position, he served as a senior presidential adviser on special operations and held several senior military commands, including commander of the UPDF Land Forces.


As Chief of Defence Forces, Kainerugaba has overseen military personnel changes and other command decisions.


His position has also attracted political scrutiny because of his relationship with the President and his association with the Patriotic League of Uganda, a movement promoting his political ambitions.

Announcement comes amid 2031 presidential ambitions


Kainerugaba's planned departure comes as attention focuses on Uganda's political leadership after President Museveni secured another term in January 2026.


Museveni, who first took power in 1986, was sworn in for his seventh presidential term on 12 May 2026, following an election whose result was disputed by the opposition.


His current term runs until 2031.


Kainerugaba has publicly expressed an ambition to contest the presidency in 2031, with supporters in the Patriotic League of Uganda mobilising support for a potential campaign.


In September, PLU official David Kabanda publicly promoted Kainerugaba's proposed candidacy and claimed that Museveni supported the plan.


The claim of presidential backing should be distinguished from a formal endorsement or succession decision.


The political activity surrounding Kainerugaba has also generated debate over Uganda's constitutional requirement that the armed forces remain non-partisan and the legal restrictions on serving military personnel participating in electoral politics.