Why CDF Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba Recalled Gen Gowa, Johnson Back To Mbuya

In a surprising development in Uganda’s security and government leadership, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), has recalled General Gowa and Brigadier Johnson Namanya Abaho back to Mbuya Defence Headquarters after their recent posting at the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

The internal memo shared by General Gowa confirms that their time serving at the Internal Affairs ministry has ended, and they are now returning to the military for new assignments.This move has drawn attention because, according to reports seen by The New Vision, their departure from the ministry is linked to a dispute over passport issuance. Earlier in February, both generals were removed from their roles in immigration after they refused to issue Ugandan passports to some people of Rwandese origin living in Uganda.

A letter circulating within government circles suggests that the generals did not follow orders that would have allowed those applicants to be granted passports, sparking tension with authorities.The disagreement centers on how citizenship and passport rights should be handled for Ugandans of Rwandan descent. Over recent years, this has been a sensitive subject in Uganda, with national leaders stressing that possessing a Ugandan identity card should entitle eligible citizens to passports. At the same time, officials have sometimes been strict in checking documents to confirm a claimant’s status.

President Yoweri Museveni has previously emphasised that people recognised as Ugandans under the constitution should not be unfairly denied identification documents, including passports.General Gowa and Brigadier Namanya’s reassignment to Mbuya means they will now await new responsibilities within the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF). Their return to military duty comes at a time when the country is debating how to balance strict immigration control with fair treatment of all citizens, regardless of their background. The situation highlights the pressures that military and civilian leadership sometimes face when handling complex national issues.Many observers are watching to see how Gen. Muhoozi will reorganise his leadership team following this recall, especially as the UPDF plays important roles in both internal security and Uganda’s regional engagements.