KAMPALA — What began on Friday as a stunning public clash between Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba and Minister of the Presidency Milly Babirye Babalanda over Uganda’s 2031 succession politics quickly turned into an apparent show of unity, with the First Son publicly inviting the minister to endorse his campaign.
The dramatic turnaround came only hours after Muhoozi demanded an apology from Babalanda and warned that she could lose her job.
On Friday morning, Muhoozi posted on X:
“I want an apology from Minister Babalanda for spreading falsehoods. Otherwise, she will lose her job!”
The warning followed a growing dispute over President Yoweri Museveni’s political future and Muhoozi’s stated ambition to seek the presidency in 2031.
Babalanda later responded directly to Muhoozi in what appeared to be an attempt to cool the confrontation.
“Afande CDF, Gen. @mkainerugaba, Tuko Pamoja Juu.”
The Swahili phrase, broadly understood as “We are solidly together,” immediately changed the tone of the exchange.
But Muhoozi was not content with a declaration of solidarity from the minister.
He responded:
“Thank you Hon. Minister, but please come and endorse the people’s campaign at the PLU’s office.”
The invitation effectively shifted the confrontation from an apparent disciplinary showdown into an open political mobilisation effort.
It also gave Babalanda a clear opportunity to demonstrate what “Tuko Pamoja” means in the increasingly contentious 2031 succession debate.
The development is particularly striking because Muhoozi had earlier threatened the minister over what he described as falsehoods, before subsequently welcoming her into his political camp.
The exchange has unfolded against a backdrop of competing messages surrounding Museveni’s political future.
While Muhoozi has openly positioned himself for the 2031 presidential contest, statements attributed to senior government figures have continued to generate uncertainty over whether Museveni intends to remain politically active beyond the current term.
The resulting confusion has increasingly spilled onto social media, where Muhoozi’s supporters have been demanding clarity from senior officials.
The PLU, which has emerged as the political vehicle around Muhoozi’s ambitions, has increasingly presented the 2031 contest as a “people’s campaign.”
Babalanda’s response and Muhoozi’s subsequent invitation therefore carry political significance beyond their personal exchange.
For now, the most striking feature of the episode is the speed of the turnaround.
One moment, Muhoozi was demanding an apology and threatening Babalanda’s job. Hours later, she was declaring “Tuko Pamoja” and Muhoozi was thanking her and asking her to come to the PLU offices to endorse his campaign.
But the drama was not entirely over.
Earlier, Muhoozi had also posted:
“Minister Babalanda will be arrested soon for contradicting my words.”
Whether that threat has been overtaken by the subsequent show of unity remains unclear.
What is clear is that Uganda’s 2031 succession debate has entered an increasingly unpredictable phase, with alliances, threats and endorsements playing out in real time before a national audience.
And for Babalanda, the next question may be simple: Will “Tuko Pamoja” remain a social-media declaration, or will she walk into the PLU offices and formally endorse Muhoozi’s 2031 campaign?
Read about the confusion caused by statements from Kabanda and Babalanda regarding Museveni-Muhoozi 2031 presidential bids Here.
