Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces and son of President Yoweri Museveni, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has directed all government ministers to obtain his personal approval before travelling outside Uganda, threatening financial penalties for non-compliance.
The directive came after Muhoozi publicly questioned a trip by Haruna Kyeyune Kasolo, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, who had been on an official diplomatic visit to Turkey.
Kasolo shared the video on his X account, detailing a meeting with Turkish business representatives at offices, a factory, an art gallery, and a chamber of commerce, with the Uganda Embassy Ankara seal appearing in the video.
Muhoozi’s warning to Cabinet ministers
Reacting to the visit, Muhoozi posted a pointed message on X, stating that Kasolo had departed without authorisation.
“You went there without permission? All ministers need my permission and clearance before leaving the country. I did not clear Kasolo to visit Turkey. He will explain. My address is known; they must ALL notify me before they leave Uganda,” Muhoozi wrote.
He went further, announcing a specific financial penalty for any minister who travels without his sign-off.
“Every minister who leaves the country without my permission will be fined 30 million shillings. We shall use that money to build roads. The Ministry of Finance will start implementing this order immediately. I will clear their trips on a monthly basis. The minister of finance will seek my approval,” he said.
Muhoozi also singled out Foreign Affairs Minister Adonia Ayebare, describing him as a disciplined cadre: “The Minister of Foreign Affairs is a disciplined cadre. He does not go anywhere without my permission.”
The general’s directive raised significant constitutional questions in Uganda, where the authority to approve ministerial foreign travel ordinarily rests with the executive branch of government under President Museveni, not the military command.
The CDF did not provide a legal basis for the travel approval and fining mechanism he announced, and no formal government statement had been issued in response to his post at the time of publication.
Meanwhile, Muhoozi had previously ordered Turkish nationals to leave Uganda, with a warning that alleged Turkish agents could be arrested.
Muhoozi’s declaration drew attention after he publicly severed ties with Turkish interests and issued direct orders linked to a diplomatic mission.
He further called for the cancellation of a Turkish contract tied to Uganda’s Standard Gauge Railway project and hinted at visiting Greece.
MSN
