President Yoweri Museveni has commissioned his grandson Ruhamya Kainerugaba as a Second Lieutenant in the UPDF. The ceremony happened on 20 October at the Uganda Military Academy in Kabamba, where Museveni commissioned 280 new officers.
Ruhamya is the eldest son of Chief of Defence Forces General Muhoozi Kainerugaba. He finished the tough 44-week officer course at Britain’s Royal Military Academy Sandhurst earlier this year and graduated in early August alongside fellow Ugandan cadet Andrew Bakira Ruyondo. Bakira won the International Sword for the best overseas cadet. Ruhamya had joined the UPDF as a private in June 2025 and spent a short time in Special Forces before going to Sandhurst.
After the Sandhurst graduation, Museveni welcomed him publicly, saying: “Now, God has blessed me with one of my grandchildren, Ruhamya, joining my big family of UPDF… Congratulations Ruhamya, congratulations Bakyira.” He also told young Ugandans that army service gives a strong foundation.
At Kabamba, Museveni told the new officers to stay disciplined, remain close to the people, and serve Uganda with honour. He also praised Muhoozi and other commanders for fighting corruption and improving soldiers’ welfare.
This continues a three-generation military tradition in the family. Museveni led the NRA guerrilla war that brought him to power in 1986. Muhoozi graduated from Sandhurst in 2000 and later became CDF. Ruhamya is now the third generation in uniform.
The commissioning comes weeks after Muhoozi declared he will run for president in 2031. In posts on X around 25 August, he wrote: “I will stand for the highest office in the land in 2031. And we will win by the grace of Almighty God,” and said that with his father’s support he expects to get 90 percent of the vote.
Gen Muhoozi was present at the Kabamba ceremony along with senior officers and the cadets’ families.