By Swift Reporter
The graduation of Ugandan officer cadets Ruhamya Kainerugaba and Andrew Bakira Ruyondo from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst has renewed attention on Uganda’s long association with the prestigious British military institution.
Ruhamya, the son of Chief of Defence Forces Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, completed the academy’s commissioning course in August 2026, while fellow UPDF officer cadet Andrew Bakira Ruyondo won the International Sword after emerging as the best international cadet in his intake.
Their achievement has also brought back into focus the long list of Ugandan and African military and political leaders who have passed through Sandhurst.
Here are some of the notable names associated with the academy:
1. Sir Edward Mutesa II – Uganda
Sir Edward Mutesa II, the former Kabaka of Buganda and Uganda’s first President, is listed among the academy’s Ugandan alumni.
Mutesa later became Uganda’s first President following independence and remained a major figure in the country’s early political history.
2. Gen Wilson Mbasu Mbadi – Uganda
Former CDF Gen Wilson Mbasu Mbadi is another prominent Ugandan Sandhurst alumnus.
According to Uganda’s Ministry of Defence, Mbadi joined the military in 1986 and completed a one-year officer cadet course at Sandhurst in 1991.
He reportedly graduated at the top of his class and went on to hold several senior command positions before becoming Chief of Defence Forces.
3. Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba – Uganda
Uganda’s current Chief of Defence Forces also trained at Sandhurst.
Gen Muhoozi joined the military as an officer cadet in 1999 and graduated from the academy in 2000.
He later undertook further military training in Egypt, South Africa and the United States before rising through the ranks of the UPDF.
4. Brig Gen Mark Ayiasi Kodili – Uganda
The late Brig Gen Mark Ayiasi Kodili is also associated with Sandhurst.
Kodili belonged to an earlier generation of Ugandan military officers and held several senior military and public positions during his career.
He died in 2022.
5. Ruhamya Kainerugaba – Uganda
Ruhamya Kainerugaba is the latest member of this Ugandan group.
The UPDF officer cadet completed the Sandhurst commissioning course in August 2026.
His graduation attracted significant attention in Uganda, particularly because his father, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, is also a Sandhurst graduate.
6. Andrew Bakira Ruyondo – Uganda
Ruyondo graduated alongside Ruhamya and delivered one of the biggest achievements for Uganda at the academy.
He won the International Sword after emerging as the top-performing international cadet.
The award recognises excellence in areas including leadership, military skills, discipline, resilience and overall performance.
7. Gen Yakubu Gowon – Nigeria
Former Nigerian military ruler Gen Yakubu Gowon is among Sandhurst’s most prominent African alumni.
Gowon trained at the academy between 1955 and 1956.
He became Nigeria’s military head of state in 1966 and led the country during the Nigerian Civil War before being removed from power in 1975.
8. Ian Khama – Botswana
Former Botswana President Ian Khama also trained at Sandhurst.
He later joined the Botswana Defence Force and rose to become its commander before entering politics.
Khama served as vice-president before becoming President of Botswana in 2008, a position he held until 2018.
9. Lt Gen Akwasi Afrifa – Ghana
Ghanaian military officer and former head of state Lt Gen Akwasi Afrifa was also trained at Sandhurst.
Afrifa rose through Ghana’s military ranks and became head of state in 1969 during a period of political instability following the overthrow of Kwame Nkrumah.
10. Lt Gen Frederick Akuffo – Ghana
Another Ghanaian leader linked to Sandhurst is Lt Gen Frederick William Kwasi Akuffo.
He became Chief of Defence Staff before taking power as Ghana’s head of state in 1978.
His government was overthrown in 1979.
Other notable African Sandhurst alumni
Sandhurst’s African alumni also include Sierra Leonean military leaders Brig David Lansana, Brig Andrew Juxon-Smith and Brig John Amadu Bangura, who played major roles in their country’s political and military history.
The academy has also trained members of African political families. President Paul Kagame of Rwanda did not attend Sandhurst, but his sons Ian Kagame and Brian Kagame have both received military training there.
The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst is renowned for training future military leaders through a combination of military tactics, physical training, academic work, discipline and leadership development.
Its philosophy, “Serve to Lead”, places strong emphasis on character, responsibility and leadership.
For African militaries, training at Sandhurst also provides officers with international exposure and professional networks with military personnel from Britain and other countries.
For Uganda, the graduation of Ruhamya Kainerugaba and Andrew Bakira Ruyondo has therefore added two more names to a long history of Ugandan officers associated with the prestigious academy.
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