By John Ikani
The son of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni – Lt Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba – has announced his retirement from the army.
“After 28 years of service in my glorious military, the greatest military in the world, I am happy to announce my retirement,” he posted on Twitter.
After training at Sandhurst, an elite British military academy, as well as in Egypt, the US and South Africa – he rose swiftly through the ranks of the Ugandan army.
Critics of President Yoweri Museveni say Muhoozi Kainerugaba who has been in the military for more than 20 years, was rushed through the ranks by his father. Many Ugandans believe Kainerugaba is being groomed to succeed Museveni who has been in power since 1986.
Museveni,77, who has ruled the east African country since 1986, has repeatedly denied accusations he wanted to hand over power to his son, although Kainerugaba’s supporters say he has a right to seek the country’s presidency like any other citizen.
Kainerugaba, a prolific Twitter user who expressed his support for Russia after its invasion of Ukraine, this year helped mend Uganda’s strained relations with neighbouring Rwanda after travelling to Kigali and meeting President Paul Kagame.
Supporters of Kainerugaba, 47, have been pressing a campaign on social media and elsewhere for him to stand in 2026, although he has not publicly declared any intention to run for office. Ugandan law forbids soldiers from participating in politics.
