The African Leadership Organisation has conferred the Special African Leadership Award for Defence and National Security Excellence on Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces and Senior Presidential Advisor for Special Operations, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba.
The award was presented during the 15th African Leadership Magazine Persons of the Year Awards ceremony held at the Mövenpick Ambassador Hotel in Accra, Ghana, from February 27–28, 2026.
The event, themed “Leadership for a New Africa: Forging Our Peace, Owning our Narrative,” brought together leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders from across the continent and beyond.
Dr Ken Giami, founder and Executive Chairman of the African Leadership Organisation, described Gen Muhoozi as a “rising and shining star of Africa.”
He praised the General’s distinguished service, military reforms, and strategic contributions to Uganda’s national and regional security over the past two decades.
Giami highlighted Muhoozi’s leadership as Commander of the Special Operations Forces and Land Forces, where he strengthened counterterrorism capabilities, professionalised elite units, and enhanced regional security cooperation.
The citation particularly recognised Muhoozi’s role in:
- Operations in Somalia under successive African Union missions (now AUSSOM).
- Securing peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo through Operation Shujaa.
- Deployments in South Sudan since 2013 and renewed support in 2024 to stabilise Juba amid tensions between government forces and opposition groups
“Your role as CDF and Senior Presidential Advisor for Special Operations has cemented your legacy in Uganda’s security architecture, contributing to operational modernisation, improved national and regional security, and robust defence diplomacy across the East African region,” Giami said.
Gen Muhoozi was represented at the ceremony by officials from the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs and Acting Director of Defence Public Information Colonel Chris Magezi.
In an acceptance speech read on his behalf, Muhoozi expressed honour at the recognition and called for stronger pan-African cooperation.
“As pan-Africanists, we should continue to strengthen cooperation across different fields on the continent including in the political, economic, social and security realms. This will enable us to fight and defend Africa and all the black people of the world more effectively,” he said.
Other notable awardees at the ceremony included:
- Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama (African of the Year)
- Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah (African Political Leader of the Year)
- Lesotho Prime Minister Samuel Ntsokoane Matekane (African Inspirational Leader of the Year)
- Angolan Vice President Esperança Maria Eduardo Francisco da Costa (African Leader of the Year)
- Retired Ghanaian statesman Nana Akufo-Addo (African Legacy Leader Award)
The annual awards convene policymakers, private sector leaders, and thought leaders to recognise individuals advancing a pan-African vision through exemplary service.
This year’s event in Accra attracted more than 400 delegates from Africa and the international community.