President Yowei Museveni has awarded his son and Chief of Defence Forces, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba Kabalega Star Medal in recognition of his outstanding contributions and achievements in the military during the 45th Tarehe Sita celebrations held on Friday in Kabale District.
The Kabalega Star, which ranks second only to the Order of Katonga, is awarded to individuals in recognition of conspicuous gallantry, bravery, and distinguished military service.
According to the citation, Gen Muhoozi has served with diligence and professionalism throughout his military career.
He previously commanded operations against Al-Shabaab up to 2022, overseeing force readiness and combat effectiveness in a complex operational environment. He has also commanded infantry forces at all levels and led strategic missions in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the Republic of South Sudan, and Somalia, aimed at eliminating terrorism and safeguarding regional security.
Speaking at the celebrations President Museveni announced plans to improve tourism infrastructure, including upgrading Kisoro Airport and constructing a new international airport in the region to ease access to attractions such as Mgahinga and Bwindi National Parks.
He also revealed plans to expand Mbarara Airport to support regional trade and urged farmers to adopt irrigation and fertiliser use, noting that productivity remained low due to traditional practices.
He said commercial agriculture, supported by agro-processing, would boost household incomes and promote industrialisation.
Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs, Hon. Jacob Markson Oboth, congratulated the President on a landslide election victory and thanked him for attending the celebrations.
The Chief of Defence Forces and Senior Presidential Advisor on Special Operations, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, described the 2026 general elections as the most peaceful since 1996, commending Ugandans for exercising their democratic rights calmly.
“Save for a few isolated cases, security was maintained across the country, allowing voters to carry out their civic duty in a calm and secure environment,” Gen Muhoozi said.
He reaffirmed the UPDF’s loyalty to the President and pledged continued support in advancing Uganda’s socio-economic transformation and regional security, highlighting ongoing operations in Karamoja and peace support missions. He noted that improved security had encouraged investment and tourism.
On welfare, Gen Muhoozi thanked President Museveni for his consistent guidance and support, which have enabled steady improvements in the living and working conditions of officers and enlisted personnel.
“The feeding, clothing, and accommodation of our officers and militants have continued to improve tremendously,” he said, attributing the progress to close supervision of projects and strict enforcement of value-for-money principles. He noted efforts to address office and housing gaps across all UPDF services, divisions, formations, and brigades.
Gen Muhoozi also commended institutions under the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs that support soldier welfare and national production, including the National Enterprise Corporation, Operation Wealth Creation, the UPDF Engineering Brigade, and the UPDF Welfare and Production departments.
The celebrations held under the theme “Defending the Gains of the Revolution and Honouring the Sacrifices of the Freedom Fighters,” reinforced calls for national unity, peace, and sustained socio-economic transformation.
The function was graced by delegations from the Central African Republic, Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo; Cabinet Ministers, Permanent Secretaries, Deputy CDF, Service Commanders, Heads of the Joint Staff, Religious and Political leaders among other guests.