Muhoozi Kainerugaba has declared plans to contest Uganda’s presidency in 2031.
Senior ruling party members opposed a proposal to position Museveni’s son as Uganda’s next leader, five party sources said.
The Muhoozi succession bid has faced resistance within Uganda’s ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), five party sources said. Senior members opposed a proposal to position President Yoweri Museveni’s son as the country’s next leader.
The dispute emerged during a closed-door executive committee meeting on November 10 to discuss Museveni’s succession. The sources said officials halted voting after four members backed Muhoozi Kainerugaba and three opposed him.
The halted exercise left the proposal without a completed vote, rather than a formal rejection.
Muhoozi succession bid draws concerns over conduct
The resistance followed Museveni’s presentation of a paper to senior party officials in late October. He argued that his son had the credentials to succeed him, despite concerns about his behaviour and public statements.
However, one meeting participant said Muhoozi’s confrontational approach and social media threats had unsettled some members. The participant urged him to persuade the public rather than use coercion to secure support.
Meanwhile, Muhoozi, 52, has declared his intention to contest Uganda’s presidency in 2031. His ambitions have also attracted public support from Museveni’s allies, including the Patriotic League of Uganda.
Days before the meeting, Muhoozi announced plans to leave his role as Chief of Defence Forces. In his November 6 statement, he said he would hand over to a qualified officer within months. He also said he intended to dedicate his life to Christ afterwards.
Separately, Muhoozi recently threatened Vice President Jessica Alupo with arrest in posts on X. He alleged that she had taken part in a plot to overthrow the government.
Uganda’s leadership transition matters to Kenya
Museveni, 82, has led Uganda since 1986, giving the succession debate significance beyond the country’s borders. Kenya and Uganda maintain extensive trade, cooperation agreements and defence ties.
Uganda is Kenya’s largest export market within the East African Community. The State Department for East African Community Affairs puts bilateral trade at approximately Ksh126 billion.
The neighbours also signed eight cooperation agreements in July 2025, adding to 17 existing arrangements. These cover transport, agriculture, investment, tourism, fisheries and mining.
In addition, their fifth Joint Defence Committee meeting in January 2025 addressed shared security concerns. Discussions covered terrorism, armed groups, cross-border crime, human trafficking and intelligence sharing.
