Senior officials within Uganda's ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) have stalled on President Yoweri Museveni's plan to designate his son, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, as his successor. According to Africanews and Punch, a closed-door meeting of the party's executive committee on Tuesday ended without a definitive vote, as members expressed significant reservations about the army chief's candidacy. The meeting was convened to determine the future of the party's leadership following Museveni's presentation of a paper in late October suggesting his son possessed the necessary credentials for the role.
The voting process was abandoned after several of the 28 committee members spoke against the proposal, with only four members reportedly voting in favor and three against before the session concluded. Punch reported that the combative nature of the army chief created uneasiness among party members, who are concerned about his frequent use of social media to threaten political opponents. One source described his approach as relying on coercive means rather than convincing the population, while NRM vice-chairman Calvin Echodu reportedly advised Museveni to move his son into a civilian role to build political experience.
General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, 52, has recently intensified his online presence, deactivating his X account after a series of threats against Vice President Jessica Alupo. AllAfrica reported that he accused Alupo of supporting the "treachery" of former deputy military chief Peter Elwelu and threatened to arrest her if she was found to be part of the plot. He also suggested that the government would operate on military terms if he became Vice President, a stance that has drawn scrutiny from both domestic and international observers.
The succession debate comes as Museveni, who has ruled Uganda since 1986, faces an unusual challenge to his influence within the party. Africanews noted that some officials suggested the 82-year-old president should seek another term instead, arguing that his son is not yet ready for the top job. Meanwhile, Muhoozi's Patriotic League of Uganda continues to mobilize support for a potential presidential bid in 2031, distributing endorsement books across the country to consolidate his base ahead of the next election cycle.