The African Leadership Organisation awarded General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Chief of Defence Forces – UPDF and Senior Presidential Advisor for Special Operations, with the Special African Leadership Award for Defence and National Security Excellence at the 15th African Leadership Magazine Persons of the Year Awards in Accra, Ghana.
Held at the luxurious Movenpick Ambassador Hotel from February 27-28, 2026, the event centered on the theme “Leadership for a New Africa: Forging Our Peace, Owning Our Narrative.”
Dr. Ken Giami, founder and executive chairman of the African Leadership Organisation, hailed General Kainerugaba as a “rising and shining star of Africa.” He recognized the General’s two decades of distinguished service, military reforms, and strategic contributions to Uganda’s national and regional security. Through his leadership, Kainerugaba enhanced Uganda’s counterterrorism efforts and regional security cooperation.
General Kainerugaba played a pivotal role in stabilizing Somalia during the nearly 20-year African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and contributed to peace initiatives in the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan. His leadership during UPDF deployments has been crucial in maintaining stability while political dialogue continues among South Sudan’s factions.
Dr. Giami remarked, “Your role as CDF and Senior Presidential Advisor for Special Operations has solidified your legacy in Uganda’s security architecture, enhancing both national and regional security.”
Represented by Colonel Chris Magezi, General Kainerugaba expressed deep honor in accepting the award, highlighting the importance of pan-African cooperation in political, economic, social, and security matters.
Other notable recipients included Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama, who received the African of the Year Award, and Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, awarded African Political Leader of the Year.
The African Leadership Magazine Persons of the Year Awards Ceremony has celebrated pan-African leadership for 14 years, uniting policymakers and thought leaders to honor those advancing a pan-African agenda. This year’s event attracted over 400 delegates, including prominent political figures and past award winners, reinforcing its status as a prestigious platform for recognizing impactful leadership across Africa.
