Kenya’s First Daughter Charlene Ruto was warmly hosted today by Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, at the Special Forces Command (SFC) Headquarters in Entebbe.
The meeting – described by insiders as a “brotherhood beyond borders” moment – comes just days after Gen Muhoozi publicly announced plans to visit President William Ruto in Nairobi, fuelling speculation of even closer Kenya-Uganda ties at the highest levels.
Charlene Ruto, accompanied by a select delegation including Morocco’s Honorary Consul George Nkya, Festus Orina, Varsheeni Ragupathy, and Hon. Jane Frances Acilo, was received with full military honours by the CDF and Senior Presidential Advisor for Special Operations.
Gen Muhoozi, son of President Yoweri Museveni and one of East Africa’s most influential military figures, set the tone with a powerful statement:
“Uganda and Kenya share a brotherhood that goes beyond geography. Our cooperation—whether in security, trade, or people-to-people engagement—remains essential for the stability and prosperity of our region. We are committed to deepening these ties for the benefit of both our nations.”
Charlene Ruto expressed sincere gratitude for the “gracious reception and generous hospitality” extended to her and her team.
The visit is far from ceremonial. Kenya remains Uganda’s top trading partner, with bilateral trade volumes exceeding USD 1.5 billion in 2025 alone. As a landlocked nation, Uganda depends heavily on Kenya’s Port of Mombasa for the majority of its imports and exports. Shared languages, intertwined cultures, and ancestral links only strengthen what officials call a “unique bond” within the East African Community (EAC).
Security cooperation, military-to-military ties, and people-to-people exchanges were all on the agenda – signalling that the relationship between State House Nairobi and State House Kampala is not just strong… it’s getting stronger.
The courtesy call follows Gen Muhoozi’s recent public statement teasing an upcoming trip to meet President Ruto personally. Analysts say today’s encounter sends a clear message: the sons and daughters of the region’s leaders are actively keeping the diplomatic fires burning.
Whether this is prelude to a full presidential summit or simply a warm-up act remains to be seen – but one thing is crystal clear: Charlene Ruto’s visit to Gen Muhoozi has put Kenya-Uganda relations firmly back in the spotlight.
Stay tuned for more updates as Gen Muhoozi’s planned Kenya visit takes shape.
