The Chief of Defence Forces, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, was among the distinguished guests at the Mozambican Armed Forces Day, also known as Revolution Day. The event, held annually on September 25, commemorates the start of Mozambique’s War of Independence in 1964, an armed conflict between the country’s guerrilla forces and colonial power Portugal. This day is marked by military parades, demonstrations, and the awarding of medals to notable military heroes.
Uganda and Mozambique share a historic bond, rooted in the friendship between Mozambique’s founding president, Samora Machel, and Uganda’s President, Yoweri Museveni. This relationship is well documented in President Museveni’s writings and public speeches.
In the foreword of his daughter Patience’s book, Jesus’ Africa, President Museveni notes: “By some coincidence, my children were born on dates of either global or national importance.” He recalls that on the day Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba was born, April 24, 1974, he “excitedly rang His Excellency Samora Machel to share the good news about my family.” President Museveni recounts that at the time, Samora Machel, who later became Mozambique’s founding president, was closely following news from Lisbon, Portugal, where a revolution was unfolding against the Fascist Government of Marcelo Caetano. Gen Muhoozi’s birth coincided with the Portuguese Revolution, which led to the collapse of the Portuguese Empire in Africa after 500 years.
Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who also serves as the Senior Presidential Advisor for Special Operations, was accompanied by Brig Gen Michael Nyarwa, UPDF Marines Commander, and Brig Gen William Bainomugisha, Military Police Commander. This high-level UPDF delegation demonstrated Uganda’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations between Kampala and Maputo.
The Mozambican Armed Forces Day traditionally begins with honoring fallen heroes at Heroes’ Square in the capital, Maputo. As part of the celebrations on Wednesday, Gen Kainerugaba met with African military chiefs at Heroes’ Square and laid a wreath on Samora Machel’s tombstone.
He then attended the main ceremony, presided over by President Jacinto Nyusi, who awarded medals to several military personnel.
Guests witnessed exhibitions by the Mozambican Marine Forces, Air Force, and other military units. Later, President Nyusi hosted the top African military chiefs from Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Lesotho, Eswatini, and other South African nations at a luncheon featuring traditional music and dancers.
Additionally, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba held discussions with his Mozambican counterpart, Admiral Joaquim Mangrasse, Chief of General Staff of the Mozambique Armed Forces (FADM). The meeting took place at the Mozambican Armed Forces Headquarters on Thursday.
