Kampala, Uganda | By Michael Wandati | The internet was abuzz once again on Saturday after Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the son of President Museveni, revealed that he will not be running for the Presidency in the upcoming 2026 elections.
Gen. Muhoozi, who has been actively gathering support in anticipation of a potential presidential bid, made the unexpected announcement, despite his earlier mobilization efforts.
His father, President Yoweri Museveni, has held Uganda’s top office for nearly four decades, and Gen. Muhoozi’s decision has sparked widespread reactions across social media platforms.
“I would like to announce that I will not be on the ballot paper in 2026. Almighty God told me to focus on His Army first. So, I fully endorse President Yoweri Museveni in the next elections,” Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who has been serving as Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) since his appointment by President Museveni on March 21, 2024, took to his X (formerly Twitter) account early Saturday morning to share a significant announcement. In the first of two tweets, he hinted at stepping away from the anticipated 2026 presidential race.
In a follow-up post about an hour later, the 50-year-old potential successor to the presidency expressed his unwavering dedication to the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF). He told his 95,000 followers, “For me, nothing on this earth is holier than the UPDF! I cannot think of a greater honor than serving in the UPDF.” His declaration emphasized his loyalty to the military, downplaying political ambitions.
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“It is Holy Ground!! Godbless Holy UPDF and Sacred Uganda forever” before warning that no civilian would lead Uganda after his ageing father, a former rebel leader who recently celebrated his 80th birthday.
While social media was still buzzing with reactions to his earlier posts, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba added another twist to the conversation. The outspoken general called upon his “millions of supporters,” particularly those involved in his political pressure group, Patriotic League Uganda (PLU), to throw their weight behind President Yoweri Museveni in the 2026 elections.
Despite speculation about his own political ambitions, Gen. Muhoozi urged his mobilizers to support his father’s bid to extend his nearly four-decade-long rule, reaffirming his loyalty to the existing leadership.
