Muhoozi Kainerugaba, son of Uganda’s aging leader Yoweri Museveni, has said he intends to run for president in 2026, the first time the outspoken general has given a timetable for succeeding his father, who has ruled the east African country for 37 years.
Uganda’s opposition has long accused Museveni of attempting to impose a monarchy on the country and of grooming his son Muhoozi Kainerugaba to succeed him. Such allegations have been refuted by Museveni.
The 48-year-old general, who is currently a special presidential advisor for special operations, is known for sending out controversial tweets that have earned him reprimands from his father.
Kainerugaba quickly deleted the tweets about his presidential ambitions that he had posted late on Wednesday.
“You have wanted me to say it forever! Okay, in the name of Jesus Christ my God, in the name of all the young people of Uganda and the world, and the name of our great revolution, I will stand for the Presidency in 2026,” Kainerugaba wrote.
In another tweet, he expressed his impatience at waiting so long to replace his father.
“The Prime Minister of the UK is 42 years old, and the Prime Minister of Finland is 37 years. Some of us are hitting 50 years old. We are tired of waiting forever,” he said.
Kainerugaba previously served as commander of land forces but was removed from that position after threatening to invade neighbouring Kenya, which he later said was a joke.
Museveni has not yet said whether he intends to stand again in 2026, although his supporters have encouraged him to do so.
