Uganda President Yoweri Museveni's eldest son Lieutenant General Kainerugaba Muhoozi on Sunday updated a photo of him wearing a cap with Kenyan flag on his Facebook.
The photo could raise questions about his patriotism, a key factor within military doctrines across several jurisdictions. Usually, military officers are expected to be patriotic to their respective nations.
In February this year, President Museveni promoted Muhoozi to Lieutenant General rank, the second highest military rank in army. The promotion raised eyebrows within Uganda.
There were fears that the strongman, who ascended to power through guerilla war in 1986, could be grooming his son to take over upon his retirement. Museveni is set to contest again in 2021 after parliament removed the age limit.
“The President and Commander in Chief of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces has confirmed the promotions of 2,031 UPDF personnel to various ranks,’‘ read part of a statement issued by the defence spokesperson."
"Muhoozi’s promotion and progress has been normal. He is a disciplined, dedicated and highly trained officer who has been serving with us for a long time,” the acting army spokesperson Capt. Chris Magezi said in 2012.
But in his defense, Muhoozi who joined military in 1999, dismissed speculations surrounding his promotion, arguing that he had met all prerequisites in compliance to military traditions.
‘‘Courses prepare you for the next level of command, which comes with a rank…all the units that I have commanded have been in operations, so I have the prerequiste operational experience,’‘ Muhoozi said in an interview with the national broadcaster.