President Yoweri Museveni has praised the late Gen Aronda Nyakairima, who served as Chief of Defence Forces from 2003 to 2013, for his significant role in professionalising the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Force (UPDF).
The President, speaking on Tuesday afternoon at an event organised to pay tribute to Gen Aronda, said the commander “was outstanding in discipline, ideology, and management skills.” He added that Aronda’s leadership legacy has influenced many in the UPDF.
“You can’t encourage people to perform when ‘out of sight, out of mind’… it’s not fair… you deny the present generation the input of these people,” President Museveni said, underscoring the importance of events like the ‘Hon Gen Aronda Nyakairima Memorial Events,’ which include lectures and the inaugural Kampala Defence and Security Expo.
At the event, the Chief of Defence Forces, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, noted that Gen Aronda’s story, along with those of other heroes, provides a powerful example of courage, dedication, and commitment.
“Honouring their legacy will inspire current and future leaders in both military and civilian spheres,” Gen Kainerugaba said.
He further stated that Gen Aronda’s legacy exemplifies selfless service to the country: “In remembering and honouring Gen Aronda’s life and work, we are preserving our military and national history.”
“His leadership during critical moments impacted the outcomes of conflicts and national security. By remembering him, we preserve these lessons for future generations,” the CDF who came along with his wife Charlotte noted.
Gen Kainerugaba also highlighted how Aronda balanced power, responsibility, and humility. “By honouring him, we acknowledge the personal sacrifices he made, as did many other officers—the sacrifices of personal safety, health, or even their lives for the greater good of this country,” he said.
“Honouring his legacy ensures his contributions are not forgotten.”
Gen Aronda Nyakairima, who passed away in 2015, is fondly remembered for his role in defeating insurgency groups, including the LRA and Karamoja cattle rustlers, among others. He joined the National Resistance Army (NRA) in 1982, shortly after graduating from Makerere University, and served his country in various capacities.
Meanwhile President Museveni broadened the scope of General Aronda’s military service, linking it to the great African cause.
“You can’t talk about Aronda without talking about the history of Africa because the NRA struggle was not just a military struggle… it was, first and foremost, political, and military means were used to solve these problems,” President Museveni said.
He explained that to understand Gen Nyakairima’s role, one must first grasp the transitions Africa and Uganda have gone through since the dawn of colonialism.
President Museveni noted that Gen Aronda was “part of a very big force” that started a student movement challenging politics of identity and gender chauvinism. He added that Aronda and his group were recruited for special roles as university graduates, unlike their illiterate predecessors.
“They helped us manage the intelligence departments and serve as political commissars,” he said, adding that combat commanders were mostly secondary school leavers and peasants.
The President explained that graduates were described as intellectuals because of their discipline and because they joined the army when many of the combat commanders had “died from natural causes.”
“They filled the gaps left by deceased commanders and gave us time to train young commanders,” he said. “We were really going into a crisis.”
He also remarked that, because of his background, “when Gen Aronda became CDF, he easily contributed to the discipline of the army.”
Gen Aronda was also praised for “establishing strategic relationships with the ordinary people,” a valuable leadership skill.
The President commended Gen Aronda for taking the lead in establishing Wazalendo Savings and Credit Cooperative Society, which has enabled members to access loans to engage in productive activities and improve their welfare.
President Museveni further lauded CDF Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba for his role in fighting corruption, citing his leadership as Commander of Land Forces, where he redirected funds previously mismanaged to build barracks facilities in Bombo.
Several military officers also paid tribute to Gen Aronda Nyakairima in a documentary aired during the Tuesday session.
Gen Katumba Wamala, the Minister of Works and Transport, remembered Nyakairima as someone who, when given a task, would leave no stone unturned. He said, “Youth can learn from him that when called to serve, regardless of where, you should put in your best.”
Gen David Muhoozi, the State Minister for Internal Affairs, recalled that it was the late General who set up the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) when the national ID project was rolled out. “As we roll out the latest phase of the project, we are building on the foundation laid by Aronda,” he said.
Lt. Gen. Sam Kavuma, the Commander of ATMIS, said his first impression of Aronda was a negative one because Aronda disliked the habits he treasured, which prevented them from becoming friends. However, as they grew in rank and responsibilities, his perception of Aronda improved.
The Joint Staff – Political Commissariat Maj Gen Henry Masiko said Gen Nyakairima greatly impacted many in the UPDF, noting, “You can see that through officers who emulate him.”
The CEO of the National Enterprise Corporation (NEC), Lt Gen James Mugira, said, “Some of us are where we are today partly because of his motivation.”
Secretary to the Treasury Ramathan Ggoobi remarked that many referred to Gen Aronda as the “godfather of the army” based on numerous testimonies.
The event was attended by senior UPDF officers, representatives from other security agencies, ministers, Members of Parliament, senior civil servants, and Gen Aronda’s family members.
