Ugandan Ruling Party Leaders Reportedly Halt Vote on Museveni Son’s Succession

Ugandan ruling-party leaders reportedly interrupted an effort to designate President Yoweri Museveni’s son, army chief Muhoozi Kainerugaba, as his successor. Accounts from five party participants published on November 11 described opposition during a closed-door meeting of the National Resistance Movement’s executive committee the previous day. The participants said voting in the 28-member committee stopped after four votes in favour and three against. Members who opposed the proposal received cheers, according to their accounts. One participant linked the disagreement to concerns about Kainerugaba’s confrontational conduct, saying: “He is fighting and threatening people on social media.” Kainerugaba, 52, heads Uganda’s army, while Museveni, 82, has governed the country since 1986. The report said Kainerugaba has vowed to contest the next presidential election in 2031. Another participant said NRM vice-chairman Calvin Echodu advised Museveni to retire his son from the military and place him in a civilian role so he could become acquainted with the population and prepare for leadership. The same account said Echodu recommended that Museveni stand again in 2031 because his son was not ready. According to the participants, Museveni had introduced the succession question in late October by presenting party leaders with a paper arguing that his son had the credentials for the position.