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Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has discussed the issue of his succession with his ruling party for the first time, party insiders disclosed on Wednesday, as concerns grow over the political ascent of his son, who is notorious for threatening opponents.
The 82-year-old leader, who has held power for 40 years since taking office via a guerrilla war, appeared to step back after winning a seventh term in January, granting more influence to his son, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the chief of the armed forces.
Kainerugaba, 52, has declared his intention to run for the presidency in 2031.
In preparation, he has overseen the detention of political rivals and ordered the temporary shutdown of the country’s largest independent media group, stating he does not support a free press.
The military chief frequently posts erratic and violent messages on X, including a threat to behead opposition leader Bobi Wine—who has since fled to the United States- and boasts of torturing opponents in his “basement.”
While Kainerugaba is widely viewed as the likely successor, his path to power has been contentious. Previous attempts to position him as the heir in the early 2010s sparked internal backlash within the National Resistance Movement (NRM), causing Museveni to avoid the topic for years.
During a meeting with NRM leaders on Tuesday, Museveni addressed the succession but focused on the traits required for leadership rather than naming a candidate.
A senior party official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told AFP that Museveni “emphasised that the discussions about (the succession) should focus on how to achieve the mission of taking Uganda to the next step and not necessarily on who should do it.”
The meeting revealed deep divisions within the party. While some members supported Kainerugaba, others remained silent or voiced strong opposition, according to the insider.
Senior presidential adviser Hajjat Hadijah Namyalo Uzeiye reportedly told the gathering she was “already living in fear” due to her opposition to Kainerugaba’s 2031 bid.
She said she has been forced to constantly change vehicles to avoid being kidnapped.
“While coming here, I used two vehicles to reach safely,” she said.
“They (Kainerugaba’s supporters) have been threatening me.”
