Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has defended the practice of security personnel wearing hoods and concealing their identities during operations in the country.
This comes a day after Uganda’s State Minister for Internal Affairs, Gen David Muhoozi, criticised the practice, describing it as “unacceptable” for security officers to wear hoods while conducting operations. In response, Gen Kainerugaba disagreed with his counterpart, stating that there is no requirement for security personnel to be identified.
“I disagree with General David Muhoozi. There is no requirement for security personnel to be identified! None at all!” Gen Kainerugaba posted on the X platform (formerly Twitter).
The controversy arose after hooded officers from the Joint Anti-Terrorist Task Force (JATT) were involved in recent operations during the Kawempe North by-election. The officers clashed with National Unity Platform (NUP) candidate Elias Nalukoola and his supporters, resulting in physical altercations and injuries. The incidents included an attack on Nalukoola during the nomination period and later, when NUP party president Robert Kyagulanyi joined the campaign.
These violent encounters, which led to injuries among journalists, supporters, and political leaders, have sparked strong criticism from both the opposition and some government members.
During a recent parliamentary session, Mukono North Legislator Abdallah Kiwanuka, a member of the Parliamentary Committee on Defence and Internal Affairs, pressed Minister Muhoozi to clarify whether security forces had adopted a new dress code involving face-covering hoods.
“You have been silent on the matter of these officers who attacked Ugandans and police officers hiding their identities. Why are they hiding their faces? Is this part of the directives you have given them?” Mr Kiwanuka asked.
In response, Minister Muhoozi reiterated his position, emphasising that security personnel must be identifiable when enforcing the law. “If you are enforcing the law, you must be properly identified. We have rules of engagement, written booklets for officers, and we should continue to enforce the law accordingly,” he said.
However, Gen Kainerugaba, the CDF and First Son, strongly disagreed with Minister Muhoozi’s stance. He defended the JATT on his X-platform, tweeting: “Great boys of UPDF! Protecting Uganda and Ugandans!”
