By Wamala Sipirian
Published: September 30, 2026
Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has directed all government ministers to seek his permission and clearance before travelling outside the country.
Muhoozi announced the directive on Saturday, September 26, 2026, after questioning a recent trip to Türkiye by Minister of State for Foreign Affairs in charge of Regional Affairs Haruna Kyeyune Kasolo.
“All ministers need my permission and clearance before leaving the country. I did not clear Hon. Kasolo to visit Turkey. He will explain,” Muhoozi said in a post on X.
He subsequently said ministers must notify him before travelling abroad and proposed a Shs30 million penalty for anyone who leaves the country without his approval.
“Every minister who leaves the country without my permission will be fined 30 million shillings. We shall use that money to build roads. Ministry of Finance will start implementing this order immediately,” Muhoozi said.
Muhoozi also said he would review ministers’ foreign trips on a monthly basis, adding that the Minister of Finance would require his approval.
“My address is known; they must ALL notify me before they leave Uganda,” he said.
Kasolo responds to Muhoozi
Kasolo’s trip to Türkiye had included official engagements involving trade, investment, healthcare and other areas of bilateral cooperation.
After Muhoozi questioned the trip, Kasolo responded on X, saying he would seek the CDF’s guidance and authority for future travel.
“My chairman and Big Brother, order taken. Your guidance and authority will always be sought,” Kasolo wrote.
Muhoozi later responded to Kasolo, describing him as “a very good cadre” and saying they would discuss the matter.
Uganda’s Embassy in Ankara has previously reported that Kasolo held engagements with Turkish officials and business representatives on areas including tourism, coffee, mining, construction, textiles and information and communications technology.
Muhoozi also singled out Foreign Affairs Minister Adonia Ayebare, saying he was a “disciplined cadre” who does not travel without his permission.
Proposed Shs30 million fine
According to Muhoozi, the Shs30 million penalty would be imposed on any minister who travels abroad without his clearance, with the proceeds intended for road construction.
However, the reports do not identify a law, regulation or formal government instrument establishing the proposed penalty.
Capital FM also noted that it was unclear what formal legal or administrative authority Muhoozi was invoking to require ministers to obtain his personal clearance.
The directive comes against an existing government framework governing foreign travel by senior officials. According to Capital FM, a 2017 Cabinet resolution required officials at ministerial level, including ministers and ministers of state, to obtain clearance from the Prime Minister before travelling abroad.
The reports therefore leave open questions about how Muhoozi’s newly announced clearance requirement would operate alongside the existing framework.
Directive comes amid Uganda-Türkiye tensions
Muhoozi’s announcement also comes amid heightened tensions between Uganda and Türkiye.
The CDF has publicly criticised Türkiye over issues including the continued presence of Ugandan activist Fred Kajubi Lumbuye in the country.
On September 18, supporters of the Patriotic League of Uganda, which Muhoozi chairs, demonstrated outside the Turkish Embassy in Kampala.
The Uganda People’s Defence Forces subsequently announced the suspension of defence and military cooperation with Türkiye, citing unresolved issues concerning bilateral defence and military cooperation.
Kasolo’s Türkiye trip therefore came at a time when relations between Kampala and Ankara were already under public scrutiny.
Muhoozi has not publicly cited a specific law establishing the new personal clearance requirement or the proposed Shs30 million fine. The Ministry of Finance had also not publicly detailed how the proposed penalty would be implemented in the reports reviewed for this article.