KAMPALA, Uganda – David Kabanda, Executive Secretary to the National Chairman of the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU), disclosed that President Yoweri Museveni has approved his son, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, to run for president in 2031.
Speaking to supporters, Kabanda revealed that Gen. Muhoozi had told him that he intended to run for president of Uganda in 2031 and that Museveni had approved the plan.
“I am here once again to inform you that General Muhoozi Kainerugaba has informed me that he is going to run for President of Uganda in 2031, and this has been sanctioned by His Excellency the President,” Kabanda said.
The proclamation centers early political succession talks within the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) around General Muhoozi, the Chief of Defence Forces.
Muhoozi would be directly considered for the presidency in 2031 as Uganda looks beyond the national elections of 2026. Museveni, who has ruled since 1986, won the 2026 election by a wide margin.
Muhoozi Kainerugaba announces his presidential bid
The first son officially announced in late August 2026 his intention to run for the presidency in the 2031 general elections.
The 52-year-old army chief took to the platform X (formerly Twitter) to declare his bid for the “highest office in the land”.
Muhoozi expressed extreme confidence in his prospects, stating he expects to win 90% of the vote, jokingly or earnestly noting that his 81-year-old father—who has ruled Uganda since 1986—would help secure that margin and serve as his campaign manager.
Muhoozi had previously hinted at or stated ambitions to run in earlier electoral cycles (including stepping back from a widely anticipated run) before ultimately deferring and backing his father.
Given Muhoozi’s longstanding public interest in Uganda’s political future and his founding of the PLU, a movement that has garnered support from both younger Ugandans and parts of the ruling establishment, Kabanda’s statement also represents a significant political development.
Inside Uganda’s dynastic transfer of power
However, Kabanda’s comment does not by itself establish the legal procedure Muhoozi would use to run for president or constitute an official declaration of candidature.
Discussions over Uganda’s political succession, the NRM’s future leadership, and the military’s involvement in national politics are probably going to get more heated after this revelation.
Muhoozi leads the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU), a political pressure group and movement that has carried out extensive nationwide mobilisation, helping build his political profile outside purely.
For years, analysts and observers have viewed General Muhoozi as being groomed to succeed President Museveni. However, critics and opposition figures express concern over a dynastic transfer of power and potential authoritarian rule.
To formally appear on the ballot as a civilian candidate, Muhoozi would legally be required to retire or resign from active military service in line with Uganda’s electoral and constitutional regulations.
