MUHOOZI Kainerugaba, the son of Uganda’s long-serving president Yoweri Museveni, has announced that he will not run for presidency in the upcoming 2026 elections. Instead, he has urged his supporters to back his father, who has led the country for 38 years, for another term.
Taking to social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter), Kainerugaba stated, ‘I would like to announce that I will not be on the ballot paper in 2026. I fully endorse President Yoweri Museveni in the next elections.’
Although President Museveni, now 80, has not yet officially declared his candidacy, he is widely expected to seek re-election. This would mark his seventh term as Uganda’s leader, following constitutional changes that have allowed him to extend his rule since he first took power in 1986.
Kainerugaba’s role and controversies
Kainerugaba, currently the head of Uganda’s military, has long been considered a potential successor to his father. However, he is also known for his controversial remarks, such as his 2022 tweet threatening to invade Kenya, which prompted an apology from President Museveni.
Uganda’s opposition has frequently accused Museveni of attempting to establish a political dynasty, a claim that the president denies. The opposition also alleges that Museveni has used the country’s security forces to suppress dissent, a charge he has consistently refuted.
Museveni’s contested legacy
Museveni’s rule has been marred by accusations of human rights abuses and suppression of political opposition. His most prominent opponent, Bobi Wine, a pop star-turned-politician, came second in the 2021 presidential election. Wine rejected the election results, alleging voter intimidation, ballot stuffing, and the abduction of his supporters. Museveni, however, insisted that the vote was the fairest in Uganda’s history.
As the 2026 election approaches, the political landscape remains charged, with President Museveni once again positioned to extend his decades-long rule.
