A significant number of National Resistance Movement (NRM) leaders oppose Gen Kainerugaba Muhoozi’s presidential aspirations, led prominently by Gen. Kahinda Otafiire, who confronts Muhoozi head-on. Others in Otafiire’s camp lack courage.They fear to be heard and witnessed doing what Otafiire himself is doing in this regard.
May be save for cabinet minister, Dr Chris Baryomunsi, Premier Robinah Nabbanja and just lately, Vice President, Maj Jessica Alupo. With due respect, Otafiire and his group are behaving like a person who would weep more than the one who is bereaved himself. Not only has the President not been heard attacking Muhoozi for standing against him, but he has as well gone on record to praise him as a person who is tougher with the corrupt than him.
Despite Muhoozi’s premature bid announcement before resigning from the army, the President advocates guidance over punishment. This departure from past actions against political involvement within the military signals the President’s disinterest in acceding to critics’ demands.Although Muhoozi was removed as Land Army Commander recently for a comment about overthrowing the Kenyan government, the President later promoted him to a full military General. Muhoozi retains his role as Special Military Advisor and is tasked with combating corruption within the army.
It is worthy to point out the fact that the President dropped Muhoozi merely because he was looking at appeasing the government in Kenya. In point of fact, he went ahead to elevate Muhoozi to a full military General at the same time he was dropping him as the Land army commander.In any case, Muhoozi continues to date, to enjoy his position as the Special Military Advisor to the President. He is also understood to have since been appointed to help the President to weed out corruption within the army.
That having been stated and noted as well, the relevant question to ask would be: why is the President comfortable with Muhoozi at the same time the First Son has declared his wish to compete for power with him?Firstly, with Museveni being Muhoozi’s father, the saying “blood is thicker than water” naturally applies, implying a strong familial bond between them.
Secondly, Muhoozi’s candidacy serves multiple purposes: it acts as a decoy to gauge the loyalty of longstanding party members, potentially dividing them. Additionally, it aims to energize and attract young voters, diverting their attention from opposition figures like Bobi Wine. And by necessary implication, to draw the young people away from the opposition.In addition to that, Bobi Wine and Dr Kiiza Besigye had over time established themselves and became as well to be known as the leading vanguards of regime change in Uganda.
That being the case, and by Museveni deploying the First Son as a decoy out to purportedly finally cause regime change in Uganda, he has profited by removing the limelight away from Dr Kiiza Besigye and also, away from Bobi Wine too.Using his bid, Muhoozi has been able to test the waters for his popularity as well as to carry out an early campaign ahead of the time when his father is possibly going to leave the stage for him to try his luck at the helm of State power.
None has been nailing this much better than Balaam Barugahara. He has constantly stated Muhoozi to be a standby substitute waiting for his dad to say `enough is enough` and then step in to carry on from where he would have stopped.Through Muhoozi’s bid, the ruling party evaluates his popularity and conducts early campaigning, potentially paving the way for a smooth transition of power.
Balaam Barugahara, a strategist, portrays Muhoozi as a standby successor, emphasizing the need for timely preparation.By allowing Muhoozi’s campaign, the President addresses calls for succession clarity and dispels notions of clinging to power.
