Uganda’s President Museveni Elevates Son to Army Chief, Sparking Succession Concerns

Muhoozi Kainerugaba, son of Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni

Uganda's long-standing President Yoweri Museveni has appointed his son, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, as the chief of defence forces, a move that has raised apprehensions about succession plans within the country.

The Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs announced General Muhoozi Kainerugaba's promotion, marking his swift rise through Uganda's military ranks since the late 1990s.

Speculations abound that this strategic appointment signifies President Museveni's intention to groom his 49-year-old son for the presidency, especially after Kainerugaba expressed his desire to run in the 2026 elections, although he has refuted claims of actively pursuing the top political position.

Despite laws prohibiting serving army officers from engaging in partisan politics, General Kainerugaba has been conducting rallies across Uganda and launching nonpartisan initiatives like the Patriotic League of Uganda. This activism has drawn criticism and concerns about potential hereditary rule, given Museveni's longstanding grip on power since taking control in 1986.

Muhoozi Kainerugaba, left, and his wife, Charlotte Kutesa Kainerugaba, attend a ceremony in which he is promoted from brigadier to general at the military headquarters in Kampala, Uganda, on May 25, 2016

The president's son, dubbed the face of Uganda's "Muhoozi Project" due to his rapid ascent in the military, faces both support for a peaceful transition of power and criticism for fostering a dynastic leadership style.

However, discussions about Kainerugaba's political future have historically been met with government suppression, as seen in the shutdown of media outlets in 2013 for discussing succession plans.

While General Kainerugaba has faced diplomatic challenges for his outspokenness on political matters, including a controversial comment about invading Kenya (later clarified as a joke), President Museveni has defended him as a capable military leader.

The recent appointment to army chief, accompanied by ministerial reshuffles, hints at a potential transition of power within Uganda's ruling elite.

Despite these developments, Uganda continues to navigate internal and external pressures, with General Kainerugaba's growing prominence raising questions about the country's political trajectory and the future of leadership beyond President Museveni's era.