KAMPALA, Uganda — Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba has ordered all government ministers to obtain his permission before travelling abroad, threatening a Sh30 million fine for those who leave the country without his clearance.
Muhoozi announced the directive on Saturday, September 26, after questioning the 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,” Muhoozi said.
He said foreign trips by ministers would be reviewed monthly and directed the Ministry of Finance to begin implementing the new arrangement.
Muhoozi Questions Minister’s Türkiye Trip
The directive followed Muhoozi’s public questioning of Kasolo’s visit to Türkiye.
“I did not clear Hon. Kasolo to visit Turkey. He will explain,” Muhoozi said in a post on X that was later deleted.
Kasolo responded by accepting the directive and saying he would seek Muhoozi’s guidance before future foreign travel.
“My chairman and Big Brother, order taken. Your guidance and authority will always be sought,” Kasolo said.
Muhoozi subsequently said all ministers must notify him before leaving Uganda.
He singled out Foreign Affairs Minister Adonia Ayebare, describing him as a “disciplined cadre” who does not travel without his permission.
Sh30 Million Fine for Unauthorised Trips
Muhoozi said any minister who travels abroad without his approval would face a Sh30 million Ugandan shilling penalty.
“We shall use that money to build roads. Ministry of Finance will start implementing this order immediately,” he said.
However, it remains unclear what legal or administrative instrument gives the military chief authority to approve ministers’ foreign travel or impose the proposed fine.
The announcement itself did not identify a law, Cabinet decision or other formal government instrument establishing the new requirement.
Existing Travel Rules Put Clearance Under Prime Minister
Uganda already has a framework governing foreign travel by senior government officials.
A Cabinet decision announced in 2017 provided that ministers, ministers of state, the Head and Deputy Head of Public Service, Permanent Secretaries and specified senior officials would obtain clearance from the Prime Minister before travelling abroad.
Officials below the Permanent Secretary level were to obtain clearance from their respective ministers.
The existing framework therefore raises questions about whether Muhoozi’s announcement represents a formal change to government travel procedures or a separate directive whose legal status has yet to be established.
Uganda’s constitutional structure also places executive authority in the President, while the Prime Minister has responsibility for coordinating and implementing government policies across ministries.
Ministers are individually accountable to the President for the administration of their ministries and collectively responsible for Cabinet decisions.
Türkiye Trip Comes Amid Bilateral Tensions
Kasolo’s trip to Türkiye came at a sensitive moment in relations between Kampala and Ankara.
On September 19, the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) announced the immediate suspension of all defence and military cooperation with Türkiye, saying the measure would remain in force until outstanding issues concerning bilateral defence and military cooperation were resolved. The UPDF did not specify the issues involved.
The suspension followed a September 18 demonstration outside the Turkish Embassy in Kampala by members of the Patriotic League of Uganda, who demanded the extradition of Ugandan activist and government critic Fred Kajubi Lumbuye, who is based in Türkiye.
Kasolo Maintains Diplomatic Engagements
Despite the military dispute, Uganda’s wider diplomatic and commercial engagement with Türkiye has continued.
Reports from Uganda’s diplomatic mission in Ankara indicate that Kasolo’s visit included engagements involving trade, healthcare, investment and coffee processing.
