President Yoweri Museveni’s son Muhoozi Kainerugaba has hinted at his intention to succeed his father as Uganda’s 10th Head of State.
Muhoozi, an army general, hinted at his intentions to run for president in a tweet on Monday, December 5.
The First son, who is known for his controversial posts on the micro-blogging site, sought to know how many of his followers would support his bid for the country’s top job if he threw his hat in the ring.
He said he would officially declare his bid for the presidency if convinced by the majority.
“Okay, let those who want me to be President after my father retweet and like. If you convince me I will do it,” Muhoozi wrote.
Okay, let those who want me to be President after my father retweet and like. If you convince me I will do it.
— Muhoozi Kainerugaba (@mkainerugaba) December 5, 2022
In another post, Muhoozi promised to make an ‘important announcement’ in a few weeks.
“In a few weeks, I will make an important announcement. Not on Twitter but by other means. I will make it in my personal capacity and as the leader of our generation,” Muhoozi revealed.
In a few weeks, I will make an important announcement. Not on Twitter but by other means. I will make it in my personal capacity and as the leader of our generation.
— Muhoozi Kainerugaba (@mkainerugaba) December 5, 2022
He had earlier indicated that the thought of running for the country’s top job had never crossed his mind.
“Some people keep saying I want to be President. Frankly speaking, that has never been in my mind,” he said.
He added: “I’m already the leader of my generation! That’s the highest honour I can think of. Our generation will be the greatest!”
Some people keep saying I want to be President? Frankly speaking that has never been in my mind. I’m already the leader of my generation! That’s the highest honour I can think of. Our generation will be the greatest!!
— Muhoozi Kainerugaba (@mkainerugaba) December 5, 2022
Museveni has ruled Uganda for nearly four decades having assumed office on January 29, 1986, when he shot his way to State House through guerrilla warfare.
In the recent elections including the 2021 polls, the opposition led by Robert Kyagulanyi alias Bobi Wine and Kizza Besigye accused the Head of State of dictatorship and abuse of human rights.
Last month, the two leaders hosted the Uganda Human Rights Accountability Conference in Nairobi where they accused Museveni of a plot to hand over power to Muhoozi.
The conference was held in commemoration of the victims of police brutality in the neighbouring country in the period leading up to the general election.
Both Besigye and Kyagulanyi urged Ugandans to rise up and free themselves from Museveni’s ‘tyrannical’ rule.
“Leaders must do what the people want and if they cannot, the people must have the power to push them out. Accountability happens when people have power, not when leaders are good,” Besigye said.
“It is sad that no leader has ever been ushered in or out of power in Uganda by the people but only through bombs. We must give the real power to the people,” he added.
