Family legacy: Uganda's 1st lady in tears as grandson graduates from Sandhurst

This story has significance for readers across Kenya and beyond.

- First Lady Janet Museveni got emotional watching her grandson, Second Lieutenant Ruhamya Kainerugaba, receive his commission at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst

- Ruhamya, the eldest son of UPDF Chief of Defence Forces General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, completed a gruelling 44-week officer training course in the UK

- The graduation makes Ruhamya the third generation of the Museveni family to enter military service, following in his grandfather's and father's footsteps

Few milestones hit quite as hard as watching a grandchild receive their military commission.

For First Lady Janet Museveni, the moment was especially emotional as she watched her grandson, Second Lieutenant Ruhamya Kainerugaba, graduate from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in the United Kingdom.

How did Mama Janet react to her grandson’s graduation?

A photo shared on Instagram by @kamukamafredie on Monday, August 17, captured Maama Janet visibly overcome with emotion as she watched Ruhamya graduate.

Ruhamya's path to the prestigious British academy was not simply handed to him on account of his family name.

He initially enlisted in the Uganda Peoples' Defence Forces (UPDF) as a private soldier in June 2025 before earning selection for the officer training programme in the UK.

He then completed a demanding 44-week commissioning course covering infantry tactics, fieldcraft, operational planning and leadership, before being officially commissioned during the academy's Sovereign's Parade on August 7 2026.

As the eldest son of UPDF Chief of Defence Forces General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who himself graduated from Sandhurst back in 2000, Ruhamya becomes the third generation of the Museveni family to take up military service, a detail that clearly weighed heavily on his grandmother's heart.

Ruhamya was not the only Ugandan to mark the occasion. His fellow cadet Andrew Bakyira Ruyondo, who trained alongside him at Sandhurst, earned the prestigious International Sword award, recognising him as the best overall international student from their cohort.

President Museveni received both graduates at State House on August 17, formally welcoming Ruhamya into the UPDF's "big family."

The President thanked God for the milestone and reflected on how military service builds a strong foundation for young citizens.

Netizens react

Followers who saw the video of Maama Janet's emotional reaction were equally moved. Here is what they had to say:

@jamafarian:

"That feeling from Kaka 🥰🥰🥰🥰 nojimanya iweee. Nambwenu Rubahamya will never forget this moment"

@isabella.bae.reignz:

"See God's blessings 🥰"

@samantha_bantu_olivia:

"Annwwwww😢😍"

@cyrolk256:

"Aaawww so emotional indeed"

@gloria_turyamureeba_1:

"So heartwarming 💕💕🙏🏽"

@israel_blessed\_:

"Ego ndikafa....Kaaka's Love"

@_house_forex\_:

"Joy wants to make me cry"

Source: TUKO.co.ke

Reporting originally appeared via TUKO. Read the full source for additional context.