Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the son of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, announced on Saturday that he will not run in the 2026 presidential election and will instead support his father.
Kainerugaba, who heads the Ugandan defense forces, previously indicated he might seek the presidency, but stated, “Almighty God told me to focus on His Army first,” and fully endorsed Museveni for the upcoming elections.
At 80, Museveni has been in power since 1986 and has not yet confirmed whether he will pursue a seventh term. Kainerugaba asserted that “no civilian will lead Uganda after President Museveni” and suggested that the next leader would be a military figure. He had previously mentioned the need for new leadership in Ugandan politics.
Museveni came to power by overthrowing Milton Obote and was re-elected for a sixth term in 2021 amid accusations of electoral misconduct, including violence and intimidation, resulting in over 50 deaths.
