Uganda's general and the succession struggle

A dozen officers arrested

Over 15 months, at least a dozen generals and senior officers have been arrested under Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the army chief and son of President Yoweri Museveni, in a crackdown unsettling the military.

Succession tensions mount

The arrests come amid growing political tensions over who will succeed Museveni, who has ruled Uganda for four decades. Gen Kainerugaba, 52, is widely seen as a potential successor.

Threat to the vice-president

This week, Gen Kainerugaba threatened Vice-President Jessica Alupo with dismissal and possible arrest, while suggesting he should take her position.

Party denies rejection

The ruling National Resistance Movement rejected reports that its senior leadership had rejected a proposal to back Gen Kainerugaba as the next president, describing the claims as completely false.

“completely false”

Leadership meeting deadlocked

A recent meeting of NRM's top leadership ended without agreement on a proposal to position Gen Kainerugaba as Museveni's successor. Five party sources told AFP a vote was abandoned after several members spoke against it.

Competing accounts emerge

Uganda's news website ChimpReports said most members who spoke backed the general's potential presidency, although some questioned his readiness for civilian leadership.

Political scientist sees connection

Dr Gerald Bareebe, a political scientist at Canada's York University, says senior officers believed not to support the Muhoozi Project have been arrested, detained or charged with corruption and treason.

“Senior officers believed not to support the project have been arrested, detained or charged with corruption and treason”

Former deputy army chief detained

Lt Gen Peter Elwelu, a prominent former commander and former deputy army chief, was detained on 2 November over allegations he had plotted to destabilise the eastern Teso region.

Demotion announced on social media

Kainerugaba announced on X that Elwelu had been stripped of his three-star rank and demoted. The traitor Peter Elwelu is hereby stripped of his ranks. He is demoted to Private.

“The traitor Peter Elwelu is hereby stripped of his ranks. He is demoted to Private”

Intelligence chiefs among detainees

At least a dozen generals and senior officers have been detained since April 2025, according to the Daily Monitor. They include three former military intelligence chiefs who once oversaw Uganda's most sensitive security operations.

Maj Gen Birungi arrested and released

Maj Gen James Birungi, a former head of defence intelligence and security, was arrested in August 2025 on allegations including treason, terrorism and corruption.He was later released after Gen Kainerugaba announced he had forgiven him.

Other intelligence chiefs detained

Maj Gen Abel Kandiho was detained in September over allegations of providing false intelligence and treachery and remains in detention.

Military defends the crackdown

The military has defended the arrests as part of efforts to tackle corruption and criminality within the armed forces.

Bareebe questions independence

Dr Bareebe argues that officers suspected of opposing Gen Kainerugaba's presidential ambitions are being targeted. He questions whether military trials can deliver independent proceedings and says many Ugandans regard the charges as politically motivated.

“Many Ugandans regard the charges as politically motivated and therefore expect little justice”

Succession debate spills into politics

Gen Kainerugaba frequently uses X to announce arrests and criticise public officials. His posts about Vice-President Alupo illustrate how the succession debate is spilling beyond the army and into the ruling party.

Museveni's reluctance to move his son

Gen Kainerugaba has indicated he intends to seek the presidency in 2031, when his father's current term is due to end.

Opposition under sustained pressure

The succession debate unfolds against sustained pressure on the opposition.Veteran opposition politician Kizza Besigye remains in detention on treason charges, which he denies.

Transition questions intensify

The arrests, Gen Kainerugaba's threats and competing accounts of divisions within the ruling party have intensified questions about how Uganda's next political transition might unfold and what role his family may play.