Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has publicly expressed his backing for his mother, Janet Kataha Museveni, to become the country’s first female president.
In a statement on December 19, 2024, Muhoozi praised his mother’s qualifications for the role, asserting that she is fit to take over the presidency from his father, President Yoweri Museveni.
Muhoozi highlighted his mother’s beauty, declaring, “Apart from my wife, Charlotte Nankunda Kutesa, I don’t know a woman on this planet more beautiful than my mother! Personally, I support her to become Uganda’s first female President.”
His comments come after he previously announced that he would not be challenging his father in the upcoming 2026 elections.
Muhoozi reaffirmed his commitment to his military duties, stating that he had received divine guidance to focus on the army.
“I will not be on the ballot paper in 2026. Almighty God told me to focus on His Army first. So, I fully endorse President Yoweri Museveni in the next elections,” Muhoozi explained.
In a separate remark, Muhoozi made it clear that after his father’s presidency, Uganda will not be governed by a civilian leader.
He emphasized that the country’s future leadership will come from the security forces, warning that the military would not allow a civilian to assume power.
“No civilian will lead Uganda after President Museveni. The security forces will not allow it. The next leader will be a soldier or policeman,” he asserted.
Muhoozi’s statements follow controversial remarks he made in August, where he threatened repercussions for anyone opposing him if he succeeded his father as president.
His comments sparked outrage, with Uganda’s opposition leader, Robert Kyagulanyi (Bobi Wine), condemning the general’s stance as a sign of escalating authoritarianism.
Bobi Wine criticized Muhoozi for suggesting he would be more oppressive than his father, calling it a troubling indication of what his leadership could entail.
“He has already proven that he is many times more brutal than his brutal father,” Bobi Wine remarked.
He added, “It is up to the people of Uganda to put an end to this humiliation and oppression from the Museveni family’s rule.”
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