The Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) has come out strongly in defence of Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s 2031 presidential ambitions, dismissing reports that senior National Resistance Movement (NRM) officials rejected his possible succession to his father, President Yoweri Museveni.
Daudi Kabanda, the head of the PLU chairman’s office and Kasambya County MP, described the reports as false propaganda. He insisted that Gen Muhoozi’s presidential bid had not faced resistance within the ruling party, urging supporters not to lose confidence.
In a statement posted on X on Thursday, November 12, Kabanda said reports circulating on foreign social media platforms claiming that the NRM Central Executive Committee had rejected Muhoozi were untrue. He maintained that the Chief of Defence Forces remained a suitable person to succeed Museveni in 2031.
Kabanda further called on PLU supporters to remain steadfast, saying the succession process was still being managed by President Museveni. His remarks came amid growing public discussion about the possibility of a political transition from the veteran NRM leader to his son.
The PLU response followed an AFP report alleging that senior NRM officials opposed a proposal to endorse Muhoozi during a closed-door Central Executive Committee meeting at State House Entebbe on November 10. Five people who reportedly attended the meeting told AFP that disagreements emerged, forcing the committee to abandon a vote on the proposal.
According to the report, four members had voted in favour of the proposal while three voted against it before the process was stopped. NRM Second National Vice Chairperson Calvin Echodu was also reported to have advised Museveni to move his son from military service into a civilian role to prepare him for political leadership, while suggesting that Museveni seek another term in 2031.
The succession debate reportedly gained momentum after an earlier CEC meeting on October 27, during which Museveni presented his views on the qualities needed in Uganda’s next president. The report indicated that Muhoozi’s military experience and leadership credentials were among the issues discussed. Kabanda subsequently claimed that Museveni had endorsed his son as his preferred successor.
Gen Muhoozi, who is 52 and currently serves as Chief of Defence Forces and PLU chairman, has been associated with the 2031 presidential project, with Kabanda announcing in September that he intended to contest the election. However, while PLU insists that there is no resistance to his ambitions, the competing accounts surrounding the NRM meeting have kept the succession debate alive.
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