Uganda’s President, Yoweri Museveni has appointed his son to head the country’s defense forces, a move raising controversies that he is preparing him for the presidency.
The announcement by the defense ministry on Friday followed years of speculation that Kainerugaba, whose social media outbursts have sparked diplomatic uproars, was being groomed for the top job.
Although the 49-year-old general has in the past denied claims he intends to succeed his father -one of Africa’s longest-serving leaders, he has enjoyed a rapid climb through Uganda’s army ranks.
In a now-deleted post on X last year, Kainerugaba said he intended to run for the presidency in the 2026 elections.
The ministry in a statement said that he replaces Wilson Mbasu Mbadi, who was removed and appointed as a junior minister.
In 2022, Museveni removed his son as commander of Uganda’s land forces after he made threats to invade neighboring Kenya in post on X platform.
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Museveni, who first took power by force in 1986 and has been elected six times, has not said when he will retire. He has no rivals within the ruling National Resistance Movement party. the reason many
In the post, Kainerugaba also expressed support for Russia’s President Vladimir Putin saying: “The majority of mankind that are non-white support Russia’s stand in Ukraine.”
Kainerugaba has long been viewed as being prepared to take over the presidency from his father, 79, who has ruled the east African country for nearly 40 years.
He has equally been holding rallies around the country, in violation of a law barring serving army officers from engaging in partisan politics, drawing criticism from his critics and the opposition.
But Kainerugaba says his activities, including the recent launch of an activist group known as the Patriotic League of Uganda are nonpartisan and aimed at encouraging patriotism among Ugandans.
Uganda is due to hold its next presidential election in early 2026 and Museveni is widely expected to seek re-election.
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