Uganda’s military chief, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has announced plans to contest the country’s presidency in 2031, potentially setting the stage for a succession bid to replace his father, President Yoweri Museveni.
Kainerugaba, 52, made the declaration in a series of posts on X on Tuesday, saying he would seek Uganda’s highest political office in the next presidential election.
“I will stand for the highest office in the land in 2031. And we will win by the grace of Almighty God,” he wrote.
The military chief also expressed confidence that he could secure 90 per cent of the vote with the backing of his father, whom he referred to as “Mzee”, a title commonly used for Museveni.
Kainerugaba has long been regarded as a potential successor to Museveni. He currently leads the Patriotic League of Uganda, a political pressure group, and had previously indicated an intention to contest the 2026 presidential election before withdrawing from the race.
Museveni, 81, has ruled Uganda since 1986 under the banner of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM). He secured a seventh term in office in the January 2026 election, extending his nearly four-decade tenure.
The 2026 election was marked by tensions between the government and opposition groups. Opposition leader Bobi Wine left Uganda for the United States earlier this year, citing concerns for his safety, while another prominent opposition figure, Kizza Besigye, has remained in detention since 2024 and faces a treason trial.
It remains uncertain whether Museveni intends to seek another term in 2031. Asked by Reuters if the president would contest the election again, government spokesman Alan Kasujja said Museveni and the NRM would make that decision “when the time comes.”
Kainerugaba’s declaration, however, has brought the question of political succession into sharper focus as Uganda looks ahead to its next presidential election.
