First Son Lt Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba has defended veteran journalist Andrew Mwenda after the Independent Magazine boss came under fire for donning UPDF uniform.
Mwenda has been in the news after a video of him in military uniform and on a UPDF helicopter leaked online.
Mwenda was also seen making statements that some interpreted as having been on behalf of the national army.
Opposition NUP leaders castigated the state for not punishing Mwenda yet security agencies previously arrested and detained the party’s supporters found wearing red berets.
According to Section 119 of the UPDF Act 2005, every person, not otherwise subject to military law, who is found in unlawful possession of equipment ordinarily being the monopoly of the Defence Forces and other classified stores as prescribed, is subject to military law and can be tried in military courts as appropriate.
In response to Mwenda’s videos, UPDF spokesperson Brig Gen Flavia Byekwaso said she hoped the journalist had sought permission from the line minister, the Commander of Defence Forces (CDF) or the operation commander.
In this case, the man commanding the UPDF assault against Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels in Operation Shujaa is Maj Gen Kayanja Muhanga, a brother to Mwenda.
Now, first son Lt Gen Kainerugaba, who is also the Commander Land Forces (CLF), has defended his friend Mwenda.
Kainerugaba said Mwenda was a fan of the national army and had done thing wrong by expressing his excitement.
“My bro Mwenda is part of the massive fan base that UPDF has because of the great work we do,” said Kainerugaba on Sunday.
“They want to wear our uniforms, hold our guns and even pretend to fly our aircrafts. It means nothing. They are just excited beings. A victorious army like ours is used to such adoration.”
