Published: 2022-03-09 – 17:51
In Uganda, President Museveni’s son will succeed his father? Muhuzi Kainerugaba announced on Tuesday, March 8, his retirement from the army, one of the main leaders of which he was. This revives speculation around the family succession at the head of the country.
“After 28 years of service in my glorious army, the greatest army in the world, I am happy to announce my retirement.” Here’s what they tweeted Muhuzi Kainerugaba.
He holds the rank of general and has been in charge of the army since June 2021, having previously commanded special forces. Muhuzi Kainerugaba, 48, has been presented for several years as a potential successor to his father, Yoweri Museveni, who has been in power in Kampala since 1986.
The current president, who, although he likes to show off his good physical shape – we saw him doing push-ups during the last presidential campaign – is 77 years old.
In social networks, those close to the authorities are promoting the hashtag #MK2026, referring to the year of the next elections.
Admiration for Paul Kagame
Muhuzi Kainerugaba’s place in the army, as well as his position as “senior adviser to the president on special operations,” make him a very serious candidate for power.
On his Twitter feed, he recently paid a lot of attention to the opening of the border with Rwanda and expressed his admiration for Paul Kagame, whom he met in Kigali at the end of January. He also showed his support for Russia by saying about Ukraine that “Putin is absolutely right.”
The topic of succession is a sensitive one in Uganda. Writer Kakvenza Rukirabashaya recently had to flee the country after making derogatory comments. Previously, he was arrested and tortured for bullying the president’s son on social media.
I must say to begin with, this announcement was a little unexpected. Most of us political scientists didn’t think he would do it so quickly. My analysis was that his father was going to run for president again in 2026 and then maybe it was time for the son. But the son seems to be a little patient, and this can be a greater test for him than if he waited another five years.
Bernard Sabiiti, political scientist from Kampala