President Yoweri Museveni’s younger brother and Mawogola North Member of Parliament Godfrey Aine Kaguta Sodo has defended the appointment of members of the First Family and close associates to influential government positions, arguing that family ties should not automatically disqualify Ugandans from serving their country.
Sodo, in a lengthy statement responding to criticism from different quarters over what some have described as nepotism in President Museveni’s government, questioned why the sacrifices made by some members of the President’s family during Uganda’s liberation struggles were rarely challenged while they were serving in the military.
The legislator said he had repeatedly seen criticism of President Museveni appointing relatives, including his wife, brother and son, to public offices, but argued that such criticism ignored their individual contributions to the country.
“I have repeatedly read from different fora and, most recently, watched a clip from Hon. Ssemujju Nganda on how, sijui, Mzee Museveni appoints his family members such as the wife as Minister, Gen. Saleh to OWC, his son as CDF, Hon. Shartsi Kuteesa and Hon. Alice Kaboyo as Ministers etc., etc., to public offices and I have always wanted to say this,” Sodo wrote.
He questioned whether family relationships should become a barrier to public service, arguing that relatives of political leaders remain citizens with the same right to serve as anyone else.
“My fellow Ugandans, why should being the President’s wife, brother, son, or relative disqualify a Ugandan from serving their own nation?” he asked.
Sodo specifically highlighted the roles played by members of the Museveni family during Uganda’s armed struggles, including President Museveni’s brothers and son, saying their contributions should also be considered when discussing their later appointments.
“Why is it that nobody questioned when Mzee Amos Kaguta’s sons were in the bush fighting for this nation’s freedom?” he asked.
“Nobody cared when Gen. Salim Saleh had bullets go through his body while liberating this country? Nobody questioned when Gen. Muhoozi served his nation in Garamba, Somalia…”
The comments were directed at a long-running debate in Uganda about whether President Museveni’s appointment of relatives and close allies amounts to favouritism or whether those individuals should be judged based on their qualifications and experience.
Sodo argued that criticism only emerged when family members began receiving official responsibilities, creating what he described as a double standard.
“Should we say that their sacrifice was never a problem then but now that reward is involved offense takes precedence?” he asked.
The Mawogola North MP further defended President Museveni’s ability to identify talent, saying the President’s record of promoting Ugandans outside his family circle showed that his decisions were not solely driven by personal relationships.
“President Museveni has a proven record of identifying, nurturing talent and bringing out the best in people,” Sodo said.
“I’m curious if the eye that has spotted ability in countless Ugandans with no relation to him at all and elevated them to serve with him is the same eye that would go blind or biased the moment it looked at those close to it.”
The debate over appointments involving members of the First Family has remained one of the most contested issues in Uganda’s political landscape.
President Museveni’s wife, Janet Museveni, has served in Cabinet, while his son Muhoozi Kainerugaba has risen through the military ranks to become Chief of Defence Forces. His brother Salim Saleh has held several senior government and military responsibilities.
Supporters of these appointments have often cited experience and competence, while critics have raised concerns about concentration of power and perceived favouritism.
