Uganda's president makes son general, appoints him overall commander of
special forces
August 28, 2012
KAMPALA, Uganda - Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni made his son a one-star
general and appointed him overall commander of the country's special forces,
leading some Ugandans to conclude that the son is being groomed to succeed
his father.
In changes announced on Monday, Col. Muhoozi Kainerugaba was made a
brigadier-general, the latest promotion in the 38-year-old's quick rise
through the ranks. Some Ugandans have long believed that Museveni, who took
power by force in 1986, is nurturing his son to eventually take over from
him when he retires.
Mwambutsya Ndebesa, a political historian at Uganda's Makerere University,
said the promotion gives that credence.
"Museveni might now be confirming the rumors that he is preparing his son
for succession," Ndebesa said. "It's just unimaginable that this is
happening."
In his new role Kainerugaba, who received some military training at the
elite Sandhurst British academy, will be the chief protector of his father
and resources such as oil wells. While he previously reported to the chief
army commander, it appears that now he will answer directly to his father.
Some analysts say that Kainerugaba's rise through the army has been a source
of resentment for the more senior army officers who see the first son as
being shamelessly fast-tracked toward the point when he will assume firm
control of the Ugandan military. Uganda's most senior army officers are
veterans of the bush war that brought Museveni to power in January 1986,
when Kainerugaba was not yet a teenager.
Nicholas Sengoba, a political analyst based in Kampala, said Kainerugaba's
promotion had made it clearer that Museveni wants his son to have more say
in the military going forward.
"It's been quite obvious that Muhoozi is headed for big things," Sengoba
said. "This vindicates those who have been critical of Museveni. The doubts
are being removed slowly."
Throughout his political career Museveni has been dogged by accusations that
he practices nepotism. His wife is a Cabinet minister and his brother used
to be one.
Museveni, who was reelected last year, has not said if he will run again
when his current term expires in 2016. But he faces pressure within and
outside the ruling party to quit and preside over what would be the first
peaceful transfer of power in Uganda's history.
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Received on Tue Aug 28 2012 - 09:56:25 EDT
