Uganda’s President and Commander-in-chief of armed forces Yoweri Kaguta Tibuhaburwa Museveni has appointed first son Lt Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba Commander Land Forces (CLF) in the national army UPDF.
Lt Gen Kainerugaba replaces Lt Gen Peter Elwelu as CLF.
Elwelu will now become Deputy Chief of Defence Forces (D-CDF).
The first son was hitherto the commandant of the Special Forces Command (SFC), an elite unit charged with the president’s security.
Brig Peter Chandia will replace the first son I’m acting capacity at SFC commandant.
Museveni appoints First Son Muhoozi Kainerugaba Commander Land Forces, Wilson Mbadi new CDF
Kainerugaba has also been his father’s senior advisor on special security operations.
His elevation to Commander of Land Forces (CLF) has reignited debate on whether the president’s son is inching closer to succeeding his father as head of state.
The appointment comes a day after dropped security minister Gen Elly Tumwine told Museveni to prepare for a peaceful transition and an honorable retirement.
A section of Ugandans interpreting the appointment of Kainerugaba as part of a broader ‘Muhoozi Project.’
First talked about, at least publicly, by former spy master Gen David Tinyefuuza (Sejusa) in 2013, the Muhoozi Project remains the key focus area of Museveni’s succession plan, at least in public debate on the topic.
Eight years ago, Gen Sejusa claimed there was a plot to eliminate top army and government officials opposed to the Muhoozi Project, a plan allegedly hatched to ensure Kainerugaba succeeds his father as president.
The president and his son dismissed the reports but both agreed nothing would stop Kainerugaba from leading Uganda if voters elected him.
Last year, Kainerugaba said his generatuo was turning the Muhoozi Project into a blessing.
Could the latest appointment be part of the journey to manifestation of this blessing? Only time will tell.
