Yoweri Museveni seized power in 1986 after a five-year bush war, vowing to end Africa’s cycle of leaders who “overstay.” Nearly four decades later, the 80-year-old has abolished term limits and declared he will run again in 2026. His son, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, 51, now chief of defence forces, is seen as the likely successor. He has openly declared, “I shall be President of this country after my father”, the Wall Street Journal reported.
Erratic statements and public controversies
Muhoozi has become infamous for provocative outbursts on social media. He once tweeted that Uganda’s army could capture Nairobi in two weeks, later insisting it was a joke. More serious were his boasts about the torture of Edward Ssebuufu, a bodyguard of opposition leader Bobi Wine, which he described as a “long overdue beating.” He has also threatened to arrest MPs, punish police commanders, and audit media outlets.
Security role and Western unease
Despite his unpredictable behaviour, Muhoozi has been central to Uganda’s military strategy. Ugandan forces have fought al-Shabaab in Somalia, hunted Joseph Kony alongside U.S. Green Berets, and battled Islamic State affiliates in Congo. Western officials fear his impulsiveness could destabilize a country that has been a reliable, if authoritarian, security partner in East Africa.
A privileged upbringing and military fast-track
Born in Tanzania during his father’s exile, Muhoozi grew up moving between Kenya, Sweden, and Uganda. He attended elite schools, studied at Nottingham University, and later trained at Sandhurst and Fort Leavenworth. He rose quickly through the ranks, commanding special forces, land forces, and finally the entire defence establishment—despite doubts from some veterans about his commitment to soldiering.
Political ambitions and rivals
Although military officers are barred from politics, Muhoozi’s Patriotic League of Uganda operates like a campaign vehicle. His strongest rival remains Bobi Wine, the musician-turned-politician who officially won 35% of the 2021 presidential vote. Muhoozi frequently insults Wine online, challenging him to fights and promising rewards for soldiers who target him—rhetoric that underscores the brutality of Uganda’s political climate.
The transition question
Insiders suggest Museveni has no succession plan beyond his son. Adviser Andrew Mwenda portrays Muhoozi’s statements as humour meant to provoke, but critics see dangerous authoritarian instincts. For now, Muhoozi is unlikely to run against his father or stage a coup. Yet his growing profile may offer Museveni the confidence to eventually hand over power, consolidating Uganda’s leadership within the family.
Uganda faces a pivotal moment as Museveni’s reign nears its fifth decade. Whether the future holds continuity under the veteran strongman or a volatile handover to Muhoozi, the direction of the country—and its role in regional stability—remains deeply uncertain.
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