Uganda's ruling party resists Museveni's reported bid to groom his son as successor
Senior officials of the National Resistance Movement are said to have opposed backing army chief Muhoozi Kainerugaba at a closed-door meeting, an unusual challenge to a President who has held power since 1986.
A succession contest is taking shape inside Uganda's governing party after senior figures reportedly pushed back against a plan by President Yoweri Museveni to position his son, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, as his political heir.
According to five party sources cited by Africanews and the Associated Press, the proposal to endorse General Kainerugaba, who heads the armed forces, ran into strong resistance at a closed-door meeting on Tuesday. Several members spoke against his candidacy and a planned vote was abandoned. Accounts of the meeting put the split at four members in favour and three against.
A divisive figure
General Kainerugaba, 52, has repeatedly drawn criticism for provocative posts on social media, including threats directed at political opponents and claims of torture. He has nonetheless declared his intention to stand for the presidency in 2031.
Party officials who are wary of the plan reportedly offered alternatives. Some urged Mr Museveni to move his son out of the military and into a civilian post so that he could gain political experience before seeking office. Others suggested that the 82-year-old Head of State should himself seek another term rather than hand over to his son.
A rare test of authority
Mr Museveni has led Uganda since 1986 and has long exercised firm control over the ruling party's internal affairs. Open resistance from within its senior ranks to a choice associated with the President is therefore unusual, and the episode points to deeper uncertainty over who will lead the country after him.
