Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni has selected his son, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, as the new head of the military, as announced by the defence ministry on Friday.
Muhoozi Kainerugaba, aged 48 and a general in the military, is widely believed to be the successor to his father and had previously sparked controversy by making threats to invade neighbouring Kenya. The ministry released a statement stating that he will be taking over from Wilson Mbasu Mbadi, who was reassigned as a junior minister.
In 2022, Museveni removed his son from the position of commander of Uganda’s land forces after Kainerugaba made threats against Kenya on the social media platform X.
During his posts, Kainerugaba also voiced his support for Russian President Vladimir Putin by stating: “The majority of mankind (that are non-white) support Russia’s stand in Ukraine.”
Muhoozi Kainerugaba has long been considered as being groomed to succeed his 79-year-old father, who has governed the East African nation for almost four decades.
Despite laws in Uganda preventing serving military officers from engaging in politics, Kainerugaba often exchanges verbal jabs with opposition politicians and has established a pressure group aimed at garnering political backing for himself, which has drawn criticism from detractors and the opposition.
The country is scheduled to hold its next presidential election in early 2026, and it is widely anticipated that Museveni will seek reelection.
(Editing by George Obulutsa and Jacqueline Wong)
