How Janet Museveni’s Right-Hand Woman Reclaimed Power After Being Quietly Dropped from a Top Role

Brigadier General Charity Bainababo, once a powerful figure within Uganda’s elite security circles and a trusted aide to First Lady Janet Museveni, has reemerged as a central player in national politics—after months of silence that followed her quiet exit from the Special Forces Command (SFC).

In 2022, Bainababo was appointed Deputy Commander of the SFC, making history as the first woman to occupy such a high position in the elite unit. Her rise came after serving as Aide-de-Camp and Chief of Security to Janet Museveni, as well as leading the Presidential Police Guard (PPG). She became known not just for her loyalty, but for her discipline and intelligence within military ranks.

However, in 2024, she was quietly removed from her post at the SFC. The reshuffle sparked speculation, with many viewing it as a signal that her influence within the Museveni camp had waned. For a while, she kept a low profile, and her absence from military and political headlines only deepened public curiosity about her next move.

Then in May 2025, Bainababo made a calculated return to the spotlight. She publicly called on the Uganda Police to formally elevate the PPG—a unit she previously commanded—to full police unit status. Though the call did not come with a formal appointment, it drew attention from high-ranking security officials and placed her back in strategic discussions around presidential security.

Soon after, her name resurfaced once again—this time in Uganda’s political landscape. General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, leader of the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU), signaled that Bainababo had been identified to lead the party’s Women’s Affairs Department. Although the appointment is still pending President Museveni’s final approval, she has already gained widespread recognition for the role and is expected to spearhead women’s mobilization under PLU ahead of the 2026 elections.

Bainababo also remains active in Parliament, serving as one of the UPDF’s representatives and holding the position of Dean of the UPDF Parliamentary Caucus. With her new political alignment and revived public presence, she is once again positioned close to the Museveni family’s core