President Yoweri Museveni has congratulated his grandson Ruhamya Kainerugaba following his graduation from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in the United Kingdom, saying military service gives young people a strong foundation.
Ruhamya, a son of the Chief of Defence Forces Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, graduated alongside fellow Ugandan officer cadet Bakyira Ruyondo this month.
In a statement on Sunday, August 16, 2026, Museveni welcomed the two into the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) officer ranks and thanked God for what he described as continued protection of Uganda.
“Now, God has blessed me with one of my grandchildren, Ruhamya, joining my big family of UPDF, having graduated, with his colleague, Bakyira, from Sandhurst recently. Congratulations Ruhamya, congratulations Bakyira,” Museveni said.
The President, who is also the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces, encouraged other young Ugandans to consider military service.
“Young Ugandans, Army service gives you good foundation. I congratulate the parents of the two young officers,” he said.
Sandhurst is the British Army’s officer training academy and also trains military personnel from other countries. The academy held the Commandant’s Parade for Commissioning Course 253 on August 5, 2026.
Museveni used his message to reflect on the history of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) and the organisations that preceded it.
“I want to use this occasion to thank God that has protected and enabled Uganda to address its numerous problems. I thank God for blessing the NRM for the last 60 years plus, starting with its precursors,” he said.
The Sandhurst commissioning course that Ruhamya participated in runs for 44 weeks and is recognized as one of the world's most demanding military leadership programs. Cadets undergo intensive instruction in infantry tactics, weapons systems, fieldcraft, operational planning, ethics, and high-pressure command. Upon completion, newly commissioned officers return to their respective national forces, in this case, the Uganda Peoples' Defence Forces (UPDF), where they are deployed accordingly.
