Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has appointed his son, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, as the country’s army commander, Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), sparking speculation about grooming him for succession.
Gen Kainerugaba previously served as a senior presidential adviser and had been removed as commander of the army’s land forces in 2022.
The appointment comes alongside a cabinet reshuffle that saw five ministers sacked, including the appointment of Gen Wilson Mbadi as trade minister. Two of Gen Kainerugaba’s advisors were named ministers.
Critics suggest that his recent rallies breach military discipline. Museveni, in power since 1986, faces accusations of attempting to establish a monarchic rule by grooming his son for succession, though he denies such claims. Uganda is due to hold general elections in 2026.
Kainerugaba has repeatedly announced that he plans to replace his father, and has conducted a series of rallies in the country announcing his intentions.
Museveni, who has been in power since 1986, has a number of close family members in government positions, including his wife who is the minister of education, a brother who is his adviser and runs a state agency distributing inputs to farmers, and a son-in-law who provides counsel and is head of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Exports and Industrial Development.
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