Private Ruhamya Kainerugaba and his friend – Andrew Bakira Ruyondo met President Museveni at State House Entebbe recently
HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I President Yoweri Museveni has congratulated his grandson, Private Ruhamya Kainerugaba, on completing military training at the prestigious Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in the United Kingdom, describing his graduation as a blessing to the Museveni family and another addition to his “big family” in the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF).
In a message addressed to Ugandans, particularly his “Bazukulu” — grandchildren — Museveni combined the family milestone with a message of gratitude to God for what he described as the protection and progress of Uganda and the National Resistance Movement (NRM).
“Greetings. I want to use this occasion to thank God that has protected and enabled Uganda to address its numerous problems,” Museveni wrote.
He also thanked God for what he described as the long journey of the NRM and its predecessors, saying the movement had been blessed for more than six decades.
“Bazzukulu, I want to use this occasion to thank God for blessing the NRM for the last 60 years plus, starting with its precursors,” he said.
The President then turned to the achievement that prompted his message — the graduation of Ruhamya alongside fellow Ugandan officer Andrew Bakira Ruyondo, commonly referred to as Bakira.
“Now, God has blessed me with one of my grandchildren, Ruhamya, joining my big family of UPDF, having graduated, with his colleague, Bakira, from Sandhurst recently,” Museveni wrote.
“Congratulations Ruhamya, congratulations Bakira.”
The graduation marks another chapter in a family whose association with the military stretches across generations. Ruhamya is the son of UPDF Chief of Defence Forces Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who himself trained at Sandhurst between 1999 and 2000. Muhoozi has previously spoken publicly about his son’s progress at the academy, describing Ruhamya as doing an “excellent job” during his training.
Ruhamya joined the UPDF in 2025 before proceeding with his officer training at Sandhurst. His graduation adds another officer to the Ugandan military after completing the demanding British military programme, which is renowned for combining physical, intellectual and leadership training. The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst held its Commandant’s Parade for Commissioning Course 253 on August 5, 2026.
For Museveni, however, the occasion was not simply about celebrating a family achievement. He used it to encourage young Ugandans to consider military service as a pathway for discipline, training and professional development.
“Young Ugandans, Army service gives you good foundation,” he wrote.
The President also recognised the role played by the families of the two officers in supporting them through their military journey.
“I congratulate the parents of the two young officers,” he added.
Museveni’s message comes at a time when he has repeatedly stressed discipline, patriotism, professional development and integrity among members of the UPDF. In July, while presiding over the pass-out of nearly 12,000 recruits, he urged new soldiers to maintain discipline, protect their health, reject corruption and continue developing their professional skills.
The Sandhurst achievement therefore becomes both a personal family celebration and a public statement by the Commander-in-Chief about the importance he attaches to military professionalism.
Signing off as “Yoweri K. Museveni, Ssaabalwanyi,” the President presented Ruhamya’s graduation as a moment of thanksgiving, congratulating the young officer, his colleague Bakira and the parents who supported their journey into military service.
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