Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has witnessed a major family milestone after his son, Ruhamya Kainerugaba, completed officer training at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in Britain.
Gen. Muhoozi was among family members and military officials who attended the academy’s traditional passing-out ceremony, where graduating officer cadets formally completed their commissioning course.
Images from Sandhurst show the UPDF CDF congratulating Ruhamya after the parade, with the newly graduated cadet dressed in ceremonial military uniform.
The ceremony featured the traditional Sovereign’s Parade, which is held at Old College Square and brings together graduating cadets, relatives, military officials and invited guests.
Following the inspection of cadets and presentation of awards to outstanding performers, the graduating class marched through the Grand Entrance of Old College in a long-standing Sandhurst tradition.
Ruhamya’s graduation carries particular significance for the Kainerugaba family.
Gen. Muhoozi himself trained at Sandhurst after joining the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) as an Officer Cadet in 1999. He graduated in 2000 and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant.
Earlier this year, Muhoozi shared photographs comparing his Sandhurst experience with that of his son.
“Father and son going through the same hardships. Separated by 27 years. God bless Ruhamya.”
The latest ceremony therefore brought father and son together at the same prestigious military institution where Muhoozi began his commissioned military career more than two decades ago.
Another Ugandan officer cadet, Andrew Bakira Ruyondo, also made headlines at the graduation after winning the International Sword, an award presented to an outstanding international officer cadet.
Ruyondo was photographed with his parents beneath Sandhurst’s International Sword honours board, which features previous recipients from several countries.
The award, also known as the Overseas Sword, is presented during the Sovereign’s Parade to an international cadet who demonstrates outstanding overall performance.
Ruhamya and Ruyondo were among the British and international cadets who completed the academy’s officer-training programme covering military leadership, field training, tactics and physical development.
