Revolutionary Guards say Gen. Muhoozi’s presidential bid is possible

On 8 March 2022, Ugandan politics was sent into a spin by 49 words tweeted by President Yoweri Museveni’s only son, Lt Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba. The tweet announced Muhoozi’s retirement from the Ugandan People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), which he had formally served in since 1999.

Oct 26, 2022 - 12:27
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Revolutionary Guards say Gen. Muhoozi’s presidential bid is possible
Kaguta in the middle awaits to talk to journalists

UGANDA - A particularly intense and visible campaign has been taking place in Uganda over the last few months to promote Lt. Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba – President Yoweri Museveni’s son – as the president’s successor.

This has put Gen. Muhoozi in the limelight in a way that was previously unthinkable in the strongly personalized regime of his father, in which talking about a “time after Museveni” was a fearful ground to encounter.

As a result, there is growing speculation, both about what Uganda could look like under Gen. Muhoozi, and whether he is actually a viable replacement. In other words, is the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) simply testing the water as opposed to preparing the ground for an inevitable inauguration?

Accoding to one of the Pressure groups that want to see Gen. Muhoozi succeed his father include the Revolution Guards. Their leader Sedrack Nzaire Nowomugisha Kaguta, brother to President Museveni and Uncle to Gen Muhoozi says that his nephew has what it takes to govern Uganda to greater heights. While the Museveni regime traditionally rules through a combination of patronage and coercion, President Museveni still has a degree of political legitimacy which is able to hold the Ugandan political settlement together. In the case of a Muhoozi takeover, he is fit to take over from where his Father stops and provide continuity.

On 8 March 2022, Ugandan politics was sent into a spin by 49 words tweeted by President Yoweri Museveni’s only son, Lt Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba. The tweet announced Muhoozi’s retirement from the Ugandan People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), which he had formally served in since 1999. Since his most recent promotion in June 2021, he has served as the commander of the land forces. The position made him the third-highest ranking officer in the defense forces.

Muhoozi’s resignation would clear his legal path to formally enter electoral politics. 

Origins of the term ‘Muhoozi project’

An army general, David Sejusa Tinyefuza who is now retired coined the term in 2013, alleging that there was such a project.

John Kusolo John Kusolo, a Ugandan Journalist, Sport fanatic, Tourist, Pastor, and Motivational Speaker. I am passionate about my work with a steady source of motivation that drives me to do my best. I am ambitious and driven. I thrive on challenge and constantly set goals for myself, so I have something to strive toward. Socials: John Kusolo on facebook and Twitter.