President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni To Contest In The 2026 Elections
In a surprising twist of events, Ugandan President Gen Yoweri Kaguta Tibuhaburwa Museveni has seemingly thrown a curveball into the political landscape by putting a pause on his son’s anticipated 2026 presidential aspirations. The once-dominant MK Movement, led by Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has undergone a metamorphosis and is now recognized as the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU), a civic organization registered with the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB), distinct from its previous identity as a political party sanctioned by the Electoral Commission (EC).
Expectations had been rife surrounding Gen Muhoozi’s potential announcements for 2024, encompassing his retirement from the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), the formation of a political party, and the unveiling of a comprehensive roadmap for party structures. However, the first son, also serving as his father’s senior advisor on special operations, surprised many by announcing the shift to PLU, choosing to keep details about his 2026 presidential aspirations under wraps.
President Museveni’s ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) promptly clarified that the 79-year-old leader would be their presidential candidate in 2026. During the NRM Day event in Serere District, party secretary-general Richard Todwong emphatically confirmed Museveni’s candidacy, stating, “[Museveni] will be our flag bearer come 2026, and he is ready to serve the country.”
Todwong dismissed the disagreements between Museveni and Muhoozi supporters as illogical, attributing them to internal power struggles. He likened the factions to “tributaries to take water to the main river” and criticized their motivations as mere battles for positions and limited opportunities.
This development unfolded after Museveni had previously cautioned Muhoozi against individuals pushing for his 2026 presidential candidacy, citing underlying interests within the MK Movement. The transition within the First Family is further complicated by the shift from the MK Movement to PLU, with supporters making the leap from one to the other.
Despite Muhoozi expressing impatience with the power transition and suggesting a succession plan where he takes over from his father, the launch of PLU hints at a potential delay in his political ambitions, possibly altering the game plan from 2026 to 2031.
Several indicators lend credence to this theory. Muhoozi, who had previously announced his retirement from the army, has extended his retirement year to 2030. Justice Minister Norbert Mao’s claim that Museveni agreed to peacefully hand over power in 2031 was later disputed by Museveni, indicating a potential strain in their agreement.
MK Movement and PLU spokesperson Andrew Mwenda, however, steadfastly maintains that Museveni will feature on the ballot paper in both 2026 and 2031, as long as he remains alive.
Despite the uncertainties, it appears that Museveni has effectively steered or compelled his son to formalize his movement into a civic organization, temporarily shelving Muhoozi’s political aspirations for the foreseeable future. As previously reported, Muhoozi is among the First Family members reportedly eyeing the opportunity to succeed Museveni when he eventually retires.