MUHOOZI Kainerugaba, the son of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, has assumed the role of Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, pledging to combat corruption within the military ranks. This move, widely perceived as accelerating his path to eventually succeed his father, comes amid ongoing speculation about succession plans within the East African nation.
President Museveni, who has held power in Uganda for 38 years, appointed his 49-year-old son to the position of Chief of Defence Forces last week, marking a significant development in the country’s military leadership.
In a formal handover ceremony held on Thursday, Kainerugaba articulated his commitment to enhancing the welfare of soldiers by addressing the scourge of corruption and ensuring proper management of resources within the military, as stated in a release by the military.
Uganda’s military plays a crucial role in maintaining regional peace, with its troops deployed in various conflict zones such as Somalia and the Democratic Republic of Congo, where they contribute to efforts against Islamist insurgents.
However, Kainerugaba’s ascent to the top military position has raised eyebrows among Uganda’s opposition, who accuse President Museveni of grooming his son for political power. Despite these claims, Museveni has consistently denied any intention of facilitating Kainerugaba’s path to the presidency.
In 2022, Kainerugaba was relieved of his command as the commander of Uganda’s land forces after he made controversial remarks on social media platform X threatening to invade neighbouring Kenya. Although Kainerugaba later clarified that the remarks were intended as a joke, the incident attracted significant attention and criticism.
Additionally, Kainerugaba has drawn attention for his public praise of Russian President Vladimir Putin following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, further adding to the scrutiny surrounding his political and military affiliations.
As Kainerugaba assumes his new role at the helm of Uganda’s military, his pledge to combat corruption and his increasing prominence within the country’s power structure continue to fuel speculation about the future trajectory of Ugandan politics and leadership succession.