Defense unaware of Muhoozi’s new appointment to ‘clean up’ institution

The ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs is unaware of President Yoweri Museveni’s alleged appointment of his son and advisor on special security operations, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, to clean the institution of corruption.

Muhoozi tweeted on Tuesday that Museveni, the commander in chief of armed forces, has tasked him to clean up the ministry of Defence and vowed that his first task will be redeeming help to all war veterans.

“The president and commander-in-chief has given me the task to clean up the ministry of Defence. MoD will be saved from all the corruption that has been going on for decades,” Muhoozi said.

But MoD and Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) spokesperson, Brig Gen Felix Kulayigye, has said as the ministry they are not aware of such assignments. 

“He has been assigned by the president?” Kulayigye wondered. “According to who? I am not aware. I have not seen that appointment.” 

Although the army might not be aware of Muhoozi’s new assignment, he has gone ahead to explain that the corruption at the ministry has left many ex-solders suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) without any help.

“As one of my first steps in redeeming MoD, I will insist on a program to help our war veterans, 90% of them suffer from PTSD,” added Muhoozi said.

PTSD is a mental health which where is triggered by terrifying events someone has been to (experienced) or witnessed. For the case of militants or persons who have grown up in war-torn areas, they have relapses like flashbacks, nightmares and severe anxiety that are in most cases unavoidable thoughts.

Muhoozi until a couple of months back, was the commander of UPDF Land Forces before Museveni sacked him and replaced him with Lt Gen Kayanja Muhanga who was at the time commanding Shuja operations against ADF rebels in DRC. Museveni reverted Muhoozi to his previous appointment as presidential advisor on special security operations.