Uganda’s Chief of Defense Forces (CDF), General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has extended his condolences to the people of Kenya following the tragic death of Kenya’s Chief of Defense Forces, General Francis Ogolla, in a helicopter crash on Thursday.
Expressing his sympathies, General Kainerugaba described General Ogolla as an accomplished leader whose loss is deeply felt not only in Kenya but across the entire East African Community (EAC). He conveyed solidarity with the bereaved families and prayed for the departed souls to rest in peace.
The son of Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni, General Kainerugaba, offered his heartfelt condolences as a gesture of support during this difficult time.
“In the demise of General Ogolla, Kenya and indeed the entire East African Community (EAC) have lost an accomplished General. Our hearts are with the bereaved families. May the souls of the departed Rest in Peace,” General Kainerugaba said in a statement.
General Kainerugaba’s rise to the position of Chief of Defense Forces in Uganda earlier this year marked a significant milestone in his military career.
His promotion came amidst a series of appointments and promotions within the Ugandan military hierarchy.
Despite past controversies and diplomatic tensions, General Kainerugaba has emerged as a prominent figure within Uganda’s military establishment. H
Meanwhile, the late General Francis Ogolla, appointed as Kenya’s CDF in April 2023, met an untimely demise, making him the shortest-serving Chief of Defense Forces in Kenya’s history. His sudden death shocked the nation and left a void in the country’s military leadership.
Prior to the fatal crash, General Ogolla had been engaged in various official duties, including overseeing peacekeeping missions and inspecting school renovation projects in the Elgeyo Marakwet region. The accident occurred as he was en route to another public engagement, highlighting the unpredictable nature of life and duty in the armed forces.
General Ogolla is survived by his wife, Mrs. Aileen Kathambi Ogolla, their two children, Lorna Achieng Omondi and Joel Rabuku Omondi Ogolla, as well as a daughter-in-law and grandson.