Yoweri Museveni, Uganda’s senior leader, has nominated his son to oversee the country’s defense forces, according to the East African nation’s government. Muhoozi Kainerugaba has had a meteoric rise, culminating in this appointment.
The defence ministry’s announcement late Thursday came after years of speculation that Kainerugaba, whose social media rants have caused diplomatic outcry, was being groomed for the top job.
Although the 49-year-old general has previously disputed suggestions that he plans to follow his father, one of Africa’s longest-serving leaders, he has advanced quickly through Uganda’s army ranks.
In a now-deleted post on X last year, Kainerugaba stated his intention to run for president in the 2026 elections.
He also appeared to poke fun at his father, adding, “How many agree with me that our time has come?” Enough with the old people governing us. Dominating us. It is time for our generation to shine. Retweet and Like.”
Following a disagreement in 2022 over a post by Kainerugaba threatening to attack Kenya, Museveni, 79, attempted to rein in his erratic son by instructing him to avoid using social media for state matters.
Museveni apologized to Kenya for the outburst, but defended his only son as a “very good general” and advanced him to that rank just days after the conflict erupted.
‘Baby despot’
As a high-ranking military official, Kainerugaba is prohibited from speaking publicly about political issues, but he has repeatedly participated in such debates, causing diplomatic headaches for Uganda.
His tweets in support of Ethiopian Tigrayan rebels enraged Addis Abeba, as did his views on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and Guinea’s 2021 coup.
Last year, he stated that Uganda would “send soldiers to defend Moscow if it is ever threatened by the Imperialists,” criticizing Western nations for spreading “useless pro-Ukraine propaganda.”
Many Ugandans have long recognized Kainerugaba as the heir apparent, but the government has previously taken a hard approach against anyone debating the topic.
In 2013, police closed two independent publications and two radio stations for ten days after publishing a leaked private note from a top general suggesting Museveni was grooming Kainerugaba to succeed him.
Many of Museveni’s previous supporters, including his personal doctor Kizza Besigye, have fallen out of favor with the president over Kainerugaba’s appointment, which has also enraged opposition leaders and government critics.
In 2022, prominent author Kakwenza Rukirabashaija fled to Germany, stating that he was tortured in detention on grounds of insulting Museveni and Kainerugaba, whom he has called as “obese,” “curmudgeon,” and a “baby despot.”