Museveni's Son Steps Aside: Endorses Father for 2026 Presidential Race

Muhoozi Kainerugaba, son of Uganda's long-serving leader Yoweri Museveni, announced on social media that he would not run for the 2026 presidency, urging his supporters to back his father instead. Museveni, who has led for 38 years, is expected to run again despite not confirming his candidacy.

In a surprising political development, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the son of Uganda's long-time leader Yoweri Museveni, has declared that he will not be running for presidency in the 2026 elections. Kainerugaba used social media platform X, formerly Twitter, to make the announcement and called on his supporters to endorse his father for another term.

President Museveni, who has been in power for 38 years and is expected to seek re-election, has yet to confirm his candidacy. "I would like to announce that I will not be on the ballot paper in 2026," stated Kainerugaba. "I fully endorse President Yoweri Museveni in the next elections."

Kainerugaba, head of the country's military, has been seen as his father's potential successor but is also known for his controversial remarks. In 2022, his threats to invade Kenya led to an official apology from Museveni. Opposition figures and activists have long accused Museveni of quashing dissent through intimidation, a charge he denies.

(With inputs from agencies.)