Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba has directed Uganda’s ministers to obtain his approval before travelling abroad.
Uganda’s military chief threatens a UGX30 million fine for unauthorised trips, although the legal basis for his directive remains unclear.
Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has ordered ministers to seek his clearance before travelling abroad.
Muhoozi announced the directive after questioning Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Haruna Kyeyune Kasolo over a trip to Türkiye.
He said ministers who travel without his permission would face a Sh30 million Ugandan shilling fine.
Muhoozi also directed the Finance Ministry to implement the penalty immediately. He said the money would support road construction.
He further said he would review ministers’ foreign trips every month.
However, Muhoozi did not cite a legal instrument giving him authority over ministers’ foreign travel. It also remained unclear whether the Finance Ministry had formally adopted the proposed fine.
Kasolo Agrees to Seek Muhoozi’s Guidance
The directive followed Muhoozi’s criticism of Kasolo’s official visit to Türkiye.
Muhoozi said he had not cleared the minister to travel and demanded an explanation.
Kasolo later acknowledged the instruction and pledged to seek Muhoozi’s guidance before future foreign trips.
Muhoozi also praised Foreign Affairs Minister Adonia Ayebare for seeking his permission before travelling.
Existing Rules Give Clearance Role to Prime Minister
Uganda’s 2017 Cabinet decision assigns foreign travel clearance for ministers to the Prime Minister.
The arrangement also covers ministers of state, the Head of Public Service and Permanent Secretaries.
Officials below Permanent Secretary level obtain clearance from their respective ministers.
Muhoozi’s announcement did not identify any formal change to those arrangements.
Therefore, the legal status of his proposed clearance system and fine remains unclear.
Directive Comes Amid Türkiye Tensions
The announcement comes days after Uganda suspended defence and military cooperation with Türkiye.
The UPDF announced the suspension on September 19, citing unresolved bilateral defence issues.
The military did not specify those issues or directly link them to Kasolo’s visit.
The development followed a protest outside Türkiye’s embassy in Kampala over Ugandan activist Fred Lumbuye.
Uganda’s wider diplomatic and commercial engagement with Türkiye has continued despite the military cooperation suspension.
