Speaking at the event, which took place at Busikho Primary Teachers’ College in Masafu town council, Museveni highlighted how military parades in the past were long, often causing discomfort to the officers who had to stand for hours, regardless of the weather conditions.
President Yoweri Museveni used Uganda’s 62nd Independence Day celebrations, held in Busia district, to commend his son and the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, for introducing key reforms in the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF). Among these reforms, Museveni particularly praised the changes in military parade procedures at national events, making them shorter and more efficient.
President Museveni touring the muilitary parade
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This year’s parade, however, was notably shorter, allowing soldiers to complete their duties efficiently without enduring long periods of standing.
“I want to congratulate Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the new CDF, for rationalising the military parade, making it shorter, and you, the politicians, learning to stop talking endlessly about nothing,” Museveni said.
“I congratulate the army; instead of standing here the whole day, they have done their work and gone. I thank Gen Muhoozi for bringing that reform into the army. The old parade system we got it from our (predecessors), but it was time to change.”
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Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba
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Museveni’s praise of Muhoozi’s leadership comes as the UPDF continues to evolve under his command, with efforts aimed at improving the efficiency and professionalism of Uganda’s armed forces.
The Independence Day celebrations, themed ‘Independence Day: A recommitment to secure and fortify our destiny’, featured participation from the UPDF, Uganda Police, and Prisons Services, who took part in the parade drills. This was the first time that Busia district had hosted a national event of such magnitude.
In addition to praising Gen Muhoozi, Museveni expressed his gratitude to the President of the Central African Republic (CAR), Faustin-Archange Touadéra, for attending the event. Touadéra arrived in Uganda the previous day and held discussions with Museveni at State House Entebbe. The two leaders explored various avenues to strengthen economic ties between their countries, including the potential addition of Bangui, CAR’s capital, as a destination for Uganda Airlines’ cargo operations.
“It doesn’t have to be daily, but a few times so that we can link up with our brothers and sisters there. CAR will become a good trading partner with East Africa. It is just after DRC and South Sudan. We are trying to persuade the governments of DRC and South Sudan that we work on the roads from Arua through Eastern Congo to CAR and another through South Sudan. Then East Africa will be linked by road to CAR and beyond,” Museveni noted.
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Military Parade at Busikho Primary Teachers’ College grounds
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The day’s celebrations also included the awarding of 40 national medals to distinguished Ugandans, with recipients honoured for their contributions in various fields. The President’s praise for Gen Muhoozi’s leadership reflects the ongoing efforts within the UPDF to modernise and streamline military operations, ensuring that Uganda’s defence forces remain both effective and well-adapted to the changing times.
Museveni’s remarks underscored the importance of leadership and reform in the country’s institutions, particularly as Uganda continues to mark significant milestones in its post-independence journey.
