Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni's succession plans have encountered resistance within his own ruling party after senior National Resistance Movement (NRM) officials failed to reach agreement on his son, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, as a potential successor.
The disagreement emerged during a closed-door meeting of the party's executive committee on Tuesday, November 10, where members were expected to discuss the country's future leadership.
According to five NRM sources who spoke to AFP, a vote on Muhoozi's proposed candidacy was abandoned after members expressed reservations. Four participants reportedly supported the proposal, while three opposed it before the exercise was stopped.
One participant cited concerns about the army chief's conduct on social media, particularly his confrontational statements and threats against individuals.
The source argued that Muhoozi should seek public support through persuasion rather than behaviour that could be perceived as coercive.
The resistance followed a proposal Museveni reportedly presented to senior party officials in late October, outlining why he believed his son had the credentials to take over leadership of the country.
Muhoozi, 52, has already publicly expressed his intention to contest the Ugandan presidency in 2031. His ambitions have also received backing from some allies of his father, including members of the Patriotic League of Uganda.
The latest disagreement comes shortly after Muhoozi announced that he intended to leave his position as Chief of Defence Forces. In a November 6 statement, he said he expected to hand over the military leadership to another qualified officer in the coming months and dedicate his life to Christ.
However, his planned departure from the military does not automatically settle the question of his political future.
Museveni, 82, has been in power since 1986, making the question of succession an important issue in Uganda's politics. The latest developments have also attracted regional interest, particularly in Kenya, which maintains extensive trade and security ties with its neighbour.
Uganda is Kenya's largest export destination within the East African Community, with bilateral trade valued at approximately KSh126 billion, according to Kenya's State Department for East African Community Affairs.
The two countries also cooperate in defence, transport, agriculture, investment and other sectors.
Muhoozi has continued to attract attention through his social media statements. In recent days, he threatened Vice President Jessica Alupo with arrest over allegations that she was involved in a plot to overthrow the government.
The reported divisions within the NRM suggest that Muhoozi's succession ambitions remain a subject of disagreement among senior figures in the ruling party.
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