Museveni outlines his motivation for pressuring Muhoozi to join the army.
Museveni said on Tuesday that he urged his son to begin military training as soon as he completed his 0 level of education, along with several of his schoolmates.
To close what he called an “intellectual gap” in the UPDF, he claimed to have purposefully sought to recruit young troops just out of high school.
The loss of numerous highly skilled and knowledgeable commanders from the Bush War had left this void.
According to the President, several individuals had passed away from HIV and other “non-combat” causes.
Recognizing Danger
Museveni said that he became aware of a growing threat soon after assuming office.
Even while the NRA rebel force included several troops with college degrees, including the late General Aronda Nyakairima, these soldiers primarily served in non-combat capacities, particularly in intelligence during the conflict.
Despite their lack of combat experience, Museveni promoted the graduation team to take up command posts after seizing power and the deaths of other Bush War military commanders.
Museveni clarified on Tuesday, saying, “They filled the gaps left by the diseased commanders and gave us time for the younger officers whom we deliberately recruited in the 1990s to rebuild the officer core of the defense forces.“
This group included General Muhoozi, who is now the Chief of Defense Forces.
Museveni claimed that he was heavily criticized in the media at the time for founding the elite organization that became known as the SFC.
“I was accused of forming a secret army…But I developed this army because I recognized the risk,” he explained.
“After Muhoozi completed his A level, I instructed him to go get his classmates to train as LDUs at Kasenyi. I hoped they would show interest and come assist us.
At the first-ever Kampala Defense and Security Expo, which took place at the Speake Resort in Munyonyo, Museveni said these things.
The occasion served as a memorial service for the late Gen. Aronda Nyakairima, a former Chief of Defense Forces who passed away in September 2015.
Gen. Museveni praised the late Aronda as a superb soldier who demonstrated exceptional discipline, doctrine, and competence.
