As is everywhere, in some places, calmer and elsewhere louder, the Chief of Defense Forces (CDF), Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has disagreed with the State Minister for Internal Affairs, Gen David Muhoozi. The matter of disagreement being the requirement for security personnel to be identifiable while on duty.
The disagreement arose following Minister Muhoozi’s criticism of the Joint Anti-terrorism Task Force (JAT) during the Kawempe North by-election campaigns.
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Joint Anti-terrorism Task Force (JAT) faced media backlash after appearing in Kawempe with faces obscured by masks and hoods while executing operations.
In a session with Parliament’s Defense and Internal Affairs Committee, responding to the criticism, Minister Muhoozi decried the practice of covering faces as “unacceptable.”
He argued that law enforcement officers should be clearly identifiable while performing their duties.
“It isn’t acceptable; if you are enforcing the law, you must be properly identified,” said Muhoozi. “We have rules of engagement and booklets written to officers, so I think we shouldn’t tire in our quest to ensure that we enforce the law and we enforce it according to the dictates of enforcement.”
Minister General Muhoozi remarks followed a question from Abdallah Kiwanuka (Mukono North), who had raised concerns over a new dress code for security forces that included full facial coverage.
However, on Wednesday, CDF Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba responded via X, formerly Twitter.
“I disagree with General David Muhoozi. There is no requirement for security personnel to be identified! None at all!” he wrote.
Responding to media rounds about JATT, Gen. Muhoozi defended the task force, praising their role within Uganda’s security forces.
“Who are they?? They are Ugandan Security, and they are doing a GREAT job!” he tweeted last week.
This is indeed a policy-versus-operations question.
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