By Enyichukwu Enemanna
Muhoozi Kainerugaba son of Ugandan President, Yoweri Museveni says he would no longer seek election to succeed his father in the 2026 presidential poll.
Kainerugaba who is currently heading the country’s military instead urged support for his father, who has been on the saddle for 38 years.
“I would like to announce that I will not be on the ballot paper in 2026,” Kainerugaba said in a post on social media platform X, formerly Twitter.
He added, “I fully endorse President Yoweri Museveni in the next elections,” urging his supporters to back his father for a seventh term.
Museveni, 80 who is yet to publicly declare intention to seek a fresh term in office is widely expected to be on the ballot as a candidate.
He took over the governance of Uganda since 1986. He has also illegally amended the constitution twice to enable him remain in power.
The son of the president who may likely emerge as his father’s choice successor is known for making controversial comments.
In 2022, his father tendered apologies to Kenya after Kainerugaba threatened on Twitter to invade the neighbouring East African country.
Human rights activists and his political opponents including former music star turned politician Bobi Wine have long accused Museveni of attempts to impose a monarchy in the country.
The octogenarian leader has also been accused of using security forces to jail, intimidate or torture opposition supporters.
Heritage Times HT reports that following a minor cabinet reshuffle in March, Museveni appointed his son to be head of the military.
The 49-year-old was named the chief of defence forces, putting him in line to become the president.
Elevation of his son in the hierarchy also came at a time when sweeping military coups ousted democratically elected governments across Africa, especially in West African region where Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso have come under military junta.
