By Akinwale Kasali
After spending 40 years in the saddle as Ugandan President, and six years left for his tenure to elapse, Yoweri Museveni’s son, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has formally declared his intention to contest the country’s Presidency in 2031, signalling his ambition to succeed his father.
The 52-year old made the declaration in a series of posts on X, putting to rest speculations over whether he would eventually seek Uganda’s highest political office.
Recall that his father was sworn in for the Seventh Term as Uganda’s President after 40 years in the saddle since taking control after a guerilla war.
Kainerugaba, who is Uganda’s Army Chief and Heads the Patriotic League of Uganda, a political pressure group, has, for years, been regarded as a possible successor to Museveni, who has ruled the East African country since 1986.
He also predicted a landslide victory, saying he would secure 90 per cent of the vote with the support of his father.
“Mzee will be my campaign manager,” he said, referring to Museveni by the honorific commonly used for the president in Uganda.
“I will stand for the highest office in the land in 2031. And we will win by the grace of Almighty God,” he said.
Kainerugaba had previously expressed his intention to contest the 2026 presidential election but later withdrew and deferred to his father, who went on to win the election.
Though 81-Year Old President Museveni has not stated whether he will seek another term in 2031, but his continued rule has been facilitated by constitutional amendments that removed presidential term and age limits.
The changes have enabled him to remain in office beyond the limits that previously applied.
Kainerugaba’s declaration has therefore brought the question of Uganda’s political succession into sharper focus, particularly amid longstanding speculation over whether power could eventually pass from Father to Son.
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