ISLAMABAD: The controversial son of Uganda’s senior leader Yoweri Museveni announced to contest for the presidency in the 2026 elections, adding that it was the time for his generation to shine.
Muhoozi Kainerugaba made the announcement in one of his tweets, posted on Wednesday night.
Experts have long believed that Kainerugaba, whose previous Twitter outbursts have sparked uproar, including a diplomatic spat with Kenya, was being groomed for the highest job.
However, the 48-year-old general has in the past rejected claims he intends to succeed his father, one of Africa’s longest-serving leaders, who has enjoyed a rapid rise through Uganda’s army ranks.
He also appeared to target his 78-year-old father, saying that how many agree with him that his time has come adding that its enough for the old people ruling them.
Kainerugaba had earlier stated that the government was failing to rein in corruption after an investigation blamed cabinet ministers and other dignitaries of stealing iron sheets announced for villagers in the impoverished and backward northeastern region of Karamoja.
Following a spat last year over a tweet threatening to invade Kenya, Yoweri Museveni had sought to rein in his wayward son by directing him to stay off from Twitter when it comes to affairs of state.
Museveni had apologized to the government of Kenya in October after Kainerugaba, among other remarks, suggested it would take his troops two weeks to capture Nairobi.
Museveni’s son in presidential contest
Earlier in 2013, police shut down two radio stations and two independent newspapers for a week after they published a leaked confidential memo by a senior general alleging that President Museveni was promoting Kainerugaba to succeed him.
Kainerugaba’s comments on sensitive foreign policy matters have often resulted diplomatic issues for Uganda.
