Uganda President Yoweri Museveni has honoured his son and Chief of Defence Forces, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, with a military medal in recognition of his role in regional anti-terrorism and peace-stabilisation efforts.

The decoration, conferred on Friday, February 6, 2026, was conferred during the 45th Tarehe Sita celebrations held in Kabale District, commemorating the launch of the National Resistance Army’s bush war in 1981.

According to the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), he executed specialised operations with diligence and professionalism, overseeing force readiness and combat effectiveness in complex environments.

“He previously commanded operations against Al-Shabaab up to 2022 and directly executed strategic missions in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Republic of South Sudan, and Somalia, all aimed at eliminating terrorism and creating a stable region,” the UPDF said.

The award comes at a sensitive time, as tensions escalate between Uganda and the United States over the recently concluded elections and the funding for Ugandan troops deployed in Somalia.

The medal was given as a result of Kainerugaba’s command in operations against the Al-Shabaab insurgency, as well as his role in missions across the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, and Somalia.

Uganda on pulling out of Somalia mission

Muhoozi has openly cautioned that Uganda may pull its troops out of Somalia if the funding issue is not urgently resolved by Washington.

In a series of social media posts on February 4, 2026,  the army chief called for increased financial backing for the mission, estimating the annual cost at Ksh129 billion, warning that without guaranteed funding, Uganda could withdraw its forces before the year ends.

“Unless we have serious discussions about financing for our mission in Somalia, we shall withdraw by the end of this year,” Muhoozi said.

Sanctions threats

Meanwhile, U.S. Senator Jim Risch, the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has taken a hard line on the matter, dismissing Muhoozi’s earlier public apology to Washington, branding it hollow and inadequate.

In a statement on January 30, 2026, Risch called on the U.S. administration to reassess security cooperation with Kampala, including military partnerships with the UPDF.

The senator warned that Washington would not tolerate recklessness and instability, particularly where American personnel, interests, and civilian lives in the region were at risk. He also urged consideration of punitive measures against Uganda if tensions persisted.

Earlier, Muhoozi had apologised to the United States following calls for sanctions over claims of human rights abuses linked to the disputed elections, where he acknowledged that he had been misinformed and that his remarks had attracted international condemnation.

Despite the warning and calls for sanctions, Muhoozi maintained that relations between the two countries remained intact. He stated that he had personally communicated with the U.S. Ambassador to Uganda, and that military cooperation was continuing.