By Black Star:
The verdict is out. In what now vindicates and absolves political analytical barometers in Uganda, it is no longer about if—but when—Gen Yoweri Museveni’s son, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, becomes vice president of Uganda; deputizing his father. Political analysts had had a periscope way before the January 15 presidential polls that returned and retained incumbent Museveni would in due course name his son to deputize him. The vice presidency fort is currently held by Retired Major Jessica Alupo since 2021.
“I hear there is a young woman called Jessica who has been warming my seat for long enough. Maybe it’s time for her to leave,” Muhoozi let the cat out of the bag on November 6. In her early fifties, Alupo is about the same age with Muhoozi.
The world’s oldest and longest-serving president in Cameroon, Paul Biya, has already named his son, Franck Biya, to deputize him. Africa’s second-longest-serving president, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo of Equatorial Guinea, too, has his son Teodorin Obiang Nguema Mangue, as his vice president.
Having captured power in January 1986, Museveni becomes Africa’s fourth longest-serving leader only after Congo-Brazzaville’s Denis Sassou-Nguesso whose son is also in top leadership positions in Brazzaville.
Gen Muhoozi currently heads the military where he also serves as his father’s Senior Presidential Advisor on Special Operations. Controversially though, Gen Muhoozi chairs his political organization, the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) in total contravention of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda and the laws stipulated as guardrails on the members of the armed forces.
“My time as CDF [Chief of Defense Forces] is coming to an end. I have accomplished all the tasks my God gave me. In a few months, I will handover this office to a qualified officer. I shall dedicate my life to Christ after that,” roared Muhoozi on November 6.
Added he: “The office of the CDF requires the bravest lion in UPDF. Not a lamb. That is what I have tried to be in my time.”
According to a district head, Kitatta Ibrahim Almalik, writing on November 6; “The new UPDF [Uganda People’s Defense Forces’] Establishment Law literally created the office of Deputy CIC [Commander-In-Chief] in the name of the new CDF of the UPDF who was given powers to deputize HE the President in executing State duties to do with command and control. CDF Muhoozi Kainerugaba is Deputy President.”
Muhoozi, meanwhile, has given former Government Spokesman and now ruling Museveni’s National Resistance Movement (NRM) party MP representing Older Persons from Eastern Uganda, Ofwono Opondo, seven days to apologize to him while on his [Ofwono Opondo’s] knees. Ofwono Opondo has been vocally critical of the rate at which Uganda has slid into human rights abuses and the collapse in the rule of law attributed to Muhoozi’s military and a section of the security forces.
In a volley of tweets on November 5, Gen Muhoozi declared thus, far; “I have never found OO [the affectionate acronym for Ofwono Opondo] good at anything, apart from insulting people. He has been insulting me and I will teach him a lesson…I hear Ofwono Opondo has a death wish. I’m giving him only exactly 7 days to apologize on his knees to me,” Museveni’s all-powerful son, demanded.
“I have not made my death wish, but if this is accurate, the 7th day will find me in Mulanda-Ayago [his country home in Eastern Uganda’s Tororo District], my preferred burial ground,” Ofwono Opondo fired back in equal measure.
Ofwono Opondo, now regarded as a lawmaker liked and likeable in East and Central Africa for speaking out frankly, had lately on November 4, said that; “They were, are perhaps still shaping operations. Ugandans need to be politically acutely alert. Most Ugandans mean well. NRM adherents must be on the vanguard to ensure that Government of Uganda returns to the basics of the rule of law.”
And according to Muhoozi, “The era of the O. Os is over. We shall teach them a long overdue lesson,” Muhoozi promised on November 5. Muhoozi also claims that “90% of the NRM historicals support PLU. It is only 10% of FDC [the past-immediate main opposition party in Uganda, Forum for Democratic Change] infiltrators in NRM that oppose us. We will deal with them.”
Ofwono Opondo belongs to the old generation of the ruling NRM ideologues who are still sticking with Museveni for continued leadership of the country which apparently irritates and unsettles the impatient Muhoozi as boulders on his ambition to replace his father in State House.
Muhoozi would, on November 6, claim that Ofwono Opondo had fled Uganda. “I hear O.O. has fled the country. We shall be waiting for him when he attempts to return,” so goes Muhoozi’s claim.
But always lying in wait as was during his Government spokesman days, Ofwono Opondo did not go on his knees as yet: “My estranged brother Muhoozi Kainerugaba, I have not fled +256! [the country code for Uganda] Am out on official Uganda Parliament work, and will return on schedule when my engagements are complete. There’s absolutely no reason for me to flee my country and government.”
And now most worrying as ever is the Principle of Separation of Powers in Uganda. “No one is allowed to discuss ANYTHING in parliament to do with the security forces without my express approval. Let anyone dare and find out. We will be happy to teach them a lesson. This is my last warning,” reads Muhoozi’s tacit November 5 warning.
