Uganda military denies resignation of president’s son

Museveni, Africa’s fourth-longest serving president, is believed to be making ready his son to probably succeed him.

Main Common Muhoozi Kainerugaba, left, and his spouse Charlotte Kutesa Kainerugaba, proper, attend a ceremony selling Kainerugaba brigadier to main common on the army headquarters in Kampala on Could 25, 2016 [File: Peter Busomoke/AFP]

Uganda’s army has stated that President Yoweri Museveni’s son, a lieutenant common, who's extensively believed to be making an attempt to succeed his long-ruling father, had not, the truth is, resigned.

Muhoozi Kainerugaba introduced on Twitter on March 8 that he had retired from the army after virtually three many years in service. His father has been president of the jap African nation since 1986.

After 28 years of service in my superb army, the best army on the planet, I'm joyful to announce my retirement. Me and my troopers have achieved a lot! I've solely love and respect for all these nice women and men that obtain greatness for Uganda on a regular basis.

— Muhoozi Kainerugaba (@mkainerugaba) March 8, 2022

The tweet was extensively interpreted as an indication that Kainerugaba, commander of the army’s land forces, was making ready to enter politics on a doable path to contest the presidency within the subsequent election in 2026.

“The final has not retired from the military, he's nonetheless in lively service,” Chris Magezi, spokesman for the land forces, advised Reuters. “The military promotions and the commissions board, which is the army physique mandated with dealing with retirement requests, has not obtained his software.”

Based on Ugandan legislation, serving troopers can not take part in politics. Kainerugaba, 47, has himself not stated whether or not he desires to run for president however his supporters have been conducting on-line and avenue campaigns for his candidature.

Museveni, 77, Africa’s fourth-longest serving president, has lengthy been pilloried by the opposition and rights teams for utilizing the army to subdue his opponents by means of intimidation, beatings or jail phrases. Officers have denied the accusations.

He was declared the winner in opposition to his predominant opponent, pop star-turned-politician Bobi Wine, after an election in January final yr that was marked by violence.

Wine rejected the outcomes as fraudulent and the USA and European Union stated the polls weren't free and honest.

Final December, a distinguished Ugandan creator was detained in December final yr and subsequently charged with communications offences associated to his tweets that criticised Kainerugaba and his father.

The creator, Kakwenza Rukirabashaija, has since fled to exile in Germany.