Arrested generals and a threatened VP: President’s son fuels Ugandan succession fever

In Uganda, senior military officers have been arrested by their commanding general, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who is also President Yoweri Museveni's son. This crackdown has unsettled the military, as it is happening amidst political tensions over who will succeed Museveni, who has ruled for four decades. Kainerugaba, 52, is considered a potential successor, but his ambitions seem to be met with resistance within the ruling party.

Earlier this week, Kainerugaba threatened Vice-President Jessica Alupo with dismissal and possible arrest, hinting that she should take his place. The ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) denied rumors that its leadership rejected Kainerugaba as the next president, calling the claims "completely false".

This situation has fueled speculation that the arrests may be part of an anti-corruption drive, targeting senior commanders who oppose Kainerugaba's presidential ambitions. The military and NRM are both powerful institutions, and their tension is at the heart of the issue. A recent NRM leadership meeting ended without agreement on a proposal to position Kainerugaba as Museveni's successor, according to the AFP news agency.

However, some party members reportedly supported the proposal, while others questioned his readiness for civilian leadership.

Ugandan political scientist Gerald Bareebe believes there is a connection between the arrests and political maneuvering over Museveni's succession, often called the "Muhoozi Project". He sees senior officers who do not support the project being arrested, detained, or charged with corruption and treason. Some of those detained have since been released after Kainerugaba's forgiveness.

The arrest of former deputy army chief Peter Elwelu, over alleged plots to destabilize the eastern Teso region, has brought the crackdown into sharper focus. Elwelu was stripped of his ranks and demoted, but his family and the army dispute the allegations. Over a dozen generals and senior officers have been detained since April 2025, including former military intelligence chiefs and other officers facing charges like treason, terrorism, and corruption.

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