“MK Not A Gambler On National Security,” Uganda’s CDF Praised For Hardline Security Strategy

By Our Reporter 

Uganda’s first son and Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the Chief of Defence Forces has quietly but decisively reshaped Uganda’s security posture since assuming office and the controversial apprehension of two Kenyan political activists affirms his uncompromising approach to safeguarding national stability, this is according to Ugandan security analyst Jamil Kazibwe.

Gen Muhoozi, who has been the centre of online attacks from Kenyan Gen Zs, is accused of supervising the illegal detention of two activists linked to the opposition NUP, who allegedly planned to fuel election-season unrest in Uganda.

But according to Kazibwe, the outrage and social media noise completely ignores Gen. Muhoozi’s pivotal role in safeguarding Uganda’s security architecture, stabilising regional threats, and feeding high-level intelligence to President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, which has kept Uganda peaceful in a volatile neighbourhood.

“Gen. Muhoozi is not a gambler on matters of national security,” Kazibwe asserts. “He is the mind, the strategist, and the stabiliser behind much of Uganda’s defence posture since he became CDF. Those insulting him are uninformed and reckless.”

Uganda has faced relentless pressure from rebel groups, extremist networks, cross-border political interference, and election-year destabilisation attempts. Kazibwe notes that in all this, Gen. Muhoozi has been the silent operator behind Uganda’s uninterrupted peace.

President Museveni recently revealed that the two Kenyan activists were detained after intelligence pinned them as part of a coordinated plot to ignite disruptive protests aimed at derailing Uganda’s 2026 electoral roadmap.

Kazibwe argues that such intelligence, the kind Museveni spoke about, is Gen Muhoozi’s battlefield, and Uganda is lucky to have a CDF who doesn’t act on guesswork.

“Uganda’s enemies don’t announce themselves. Intelligence picks them. MK processes it. Museveni acts on it,” he says. “This is the chain that has kept Uganda from burning like other countries in the region.”

MK’s “Era of Pre-Emptive Security”

Kazibwe further notes that Muhoozi’s tenure as CDF has been marked by speedy intelligence mobilisation, cross-border coordination, internal force discipline, and an aggressive stance against actor, foreign or local, attempting to destabilise the country.

He says there has been several instances where Muhoozi’s command style has shifted Uganda away from reactionary responses toward real-time threat neutralisation, a trend that has unsettled those used to exploiting Uganda’s traditionally cautious approach.

“Gen Muhoozi’s leadership has made Uganda less predictable to its adversaries,” Kazibwe notes. “And unpredictability is one of the strongest weapons in modern security.”

He blasted Kenyan social media critics, calling their attacks “uninformed theatrics” meant to politicise Uganda’s internal affairs. “Uganda is a sovereign state. Decisions on national security are not vetted by foreign activists,” Kazibwe said. “Even Kenya conducts preventive arrests. Why should Uganda be lectured for doing the same?”

The security analyst argues that hostility toward Muhoozi stems from his perceived rising influence in regional security matters, which some actors fear may shift power dynamics in East Africa.

The two activists have since been released and handed over to Kenyan authorities, yet Kazibwe insists the operation was lawful, strategic and necessary. “Uganda’s peace is not up for negotiation,” he said. “No responsible government waits for violence to erupt before acting. Gen. Muhoozi has ensured that threats are dealt with before they hatch.”

Kazibwe concludes that the backlash against Muhoozi is proof that his no-nonsense doctrine is hitting the right targets. “If those who wished to destabilise Uganda are angry, it means MK is doing his job,” he argued. “National security is not a popularity contest.”