By: Robert Patrick Fati Gakwerere
On Monday, 21 July 2025, Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, announced that his son, Ruhamya Kainerugaba, has recently joined the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), thereby extending President Museveni’s family legacy in the military into a third generation. The enlistment of Army Recruit Ruhamya Kainerugaba marks a significant moment, symbolising the continued and direct involvement of the Museveni family in the UPDF.
In a statement shared on his X account (formerly Twitter), Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba wrote:
“I’m extremely happy to announce that after 31 years in God’s Army, the UPDF, God has blessed the House of Museveni with another soldier as of last month. Private Ruhamya Kainerugaba, may Almighty God bless him as He did me.”

The UPDF traces its origins back to 1971, beginning with President Museveni’s Front for National Salvation (FRONASA). It later evolved into the National Resistance Army (NRA) in 1981 and was officially renamed the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) following the promulgation of the 1995 Constitution of Uganda. Army Recruit Ruhamya Kainerugaba now joins an institution that has been shaped and led by his grandfather for over five decades.

It is important to note that the UPDF no longer offers direct cadet recruitment. Anyone wishing to enroll in the military cadet course must first undergo nearly a year of basic military training and successfully pass out as a private. Only upon the successful completion of this initial phase, and subject to meeting the required entry criteria, may one qualify for enrollment into a cadet officer training course.