President Museveni appoints son as Uganda’s army commander

Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni has designated his son, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, as the country’s army commander, a move likely to spur conjecture regarding the president’s intentions to prepare his eldest child for succession. Gen Kainerugaba previously served as a senior presidential adviser overseeing special operations, following his removal as commander of the army’s land forces in 2022. His promotion to the new role occurred late on Thursday during a cabinet reshuffle that resulted in the dismissal of five ministers, including Gen Wilson Mbadi, who assumes the role of trade minister. Notably, two of Gen Kainerugaba’s closest advisers were appointed as ministers in the announced changes by President Museveni. The embattled Karamoja Affairs Minister, Mary Goretti Kitutu, facing corruption allegations related to the theft of metal roofing sheets, was relieved of her duties. Lt Gen Samuel Okiding was appointed as the deputy army chief in the recent appointments, succeeding Gen Peter Elwelu, whom Mr Museveni appointed as one of his senior advisers. Despite recent criticisms suggesting a breach of military discipline due to his participation in rallies across the country, Gen Kainerugaba’s ascent to the army’s leadership position amplifies long-standing suspicions of President Museveni grooming him for succession, a notion dismissed by the president himself. As Uganda approaches the 2026 general elections, these developments underscore the ongoing political dynamics within the country.