KAMPALA
The succession debate within the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) has intensified after the Executive Secretary to the National Chairman of the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU), David Kabanda, announced that Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba will contest for president in 2031.
Kabanda said Muhoozi, the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), had instructed him to announce his intention to seek the presidency for the 2031–2036 term.
“General Muhoozi Kainerugaba has told me to inform you that he will run for President 2031–2036,” Kabanda said.
He further claimed that President Yoweri Museveni had approved his son’s presidential ambitions, saying Muhoozi’s bid would therefore not put him at odds with the NRM leadership.
The declaration comes at a politically sensitive time, with senior government officials sending seemingly different signals about the party’s leadership beyond the 2026 elections.
Minister for the Presidency Milly Babirye Babalanda on Tuesday reaffirmed Museveni’s continued leadership, saying the President would remain in power until 2031 and beyond.
“President Museveni came to stay. We are here to stay. We will stay with you until 2031 and beyond,” Babalanda said.
Babalanda was speaking at the launch of a one-week retreat on the implementation of the NRM manifesto for Western region local government leaders at the National Leadership Institute (NALI) in Kyankwanzi.
Her remarks came against the backdrop of growing public discussion about who will succeed Museveni, who has led the NRM and Uganda since 1986.
Kabanda’s announcement effectively places Muhoozi’s name at the centre of the 2031 succession debate, even as Museveni continues to be presented by senior NRM officials as the party’s leader beyond the 2026 elections.
The development is likely to fuel further debate within the NRM over its future leadership and the transition from Museveni, who has dominated the party and national politics for four decades.
