Museveni's son says not groomed for presidency
Sep 08, 2011
LT. COL Muhoozi Kainerugaba has broken silence hitting back at reports that his father, President Yoweri Museveni, was preparing him to take over the top leadership of this country.
By Hellen Mukiibi
LT. COL Muhoozi Kainerugaba has broken silence hitting back at reports that his father, President Yoweri Museveni, was preparing him to take over the top leadership of this country.
Muhoozi, who is the Commander of Special Forces in the UPDF, was responding to reports by whistleblower website Wikileaks about Museveni’s succession plan for Uganda.
Since November 28, 2010, the site has published leaked United States embassy cables, allegedly originating from 274 embassies, consulates and diplomatic missions.
In the recent dossier on Uganda, Soroti MP Michael Mukula two years ago allegedly told the US diplomat that President Museveni was grooming his son as a successor.
In a telephone conversation with New Vision, Muhoozi yesterday said: “His Excellency President Yoweri Museveni is not grooming me for presidency.
I often wonder what people mean when they say that I am being groomed for presidency.
“Avenues to become President in Uganda are clearly laid down in Uganda’s constitution. If any Ugandan citizen meets this criteria and wins democratic elections, he or she will automatically assume that office.
“If by grooming certain people mean that because Museveni is my father and given his excellent credentials with the Uganda electorate (fighting for liberation of this country) that I would be a popular candidate, that cannot be helped.â€
“However, if by grooming they mean that somehow President Museveni will parachute me to the presidency unfairly, then I conclude that they do not know the man. This is not and has never been his approach to issues,†he added.
Relatedly, the Government has described statements reportedly made by Mukula as unfounded and unfortunate. Security minister Samson Muruli Mukasa in an interview with local television emphasised that Muhoozi was a soldier in the Ugandan army like any other and his promotions have been based on merit not nepotism as implied.
Muruli also stressed that Muhoozi does not enjoy special status in the army.
Responding to the details on the website, Mukula, the former health state minister and NRM regional chairman, in a press interview acknowledged the meeting, but cited “distortions†in the reporting.
He said: “I will take an opportunity to communicate to the NRM chairman with deep clarity.â€
LT. COL Muhoozi Kainerugaba has broken silence hitting back at reports that his father, President Yoweri Museveni, was preparing him to take over the top leadership of this country.
Muhoozi, who is the Commander of Special Forces in the UPDF, was responding to reports by whistleblower website Wikileaks about Museveni’s succession plan for Uganda.
Since November 28, 2010, the site has published leaked United States embassy cables, allegedly originating from 274 embassies, consulates and diplomatic missions.
In the recent dossier on Uganda, Soroti MP Michael Mukula two years ago allegedly told the US diplomat that President Museveni was grooming his son as a successor.
In a telephone conversation with New Vision, Muhoozi yesterday said: “His Excellency President Yoweri Museveni is not grooming me for presidency.
I often wonder what people mean when they say that I am being groomed for presidency.
“Avenues to become President in Uganda are clearly laid down in Uganda’s constitution. If any Ugandan citizen meets this criteria and wins democratic elections, he or she will automatically assume that office.
“If by grooming certain people mean that because Museveni is my father and given his excellent credentials with the Uganda electorate (fighting for liberation of this country) that I would be a popular candidate, that cannot be helped.â€
“However, if by grooming they mean that somehow President Museveni will parachute me to the presidency unfairly, then I conclude that they do not know the man. This is not and has never been his approach to issues,†he added.
Relatedly, the Government has described statements reportedly made by Mukula as unfounded and unfortunate. Security minister Samson Muruli Mukasa in an interview with local television emphasised that Muhoozi was a soldier in the Ugandan army like any other and his promotions have been based on merit not nepotism as implied.
Muruli also stressed that Muhoozi does not enjoy special status in the army.
Responding to the details on the website, Mukula, the former health state minister and NRM regional chairman, in a press interview acknowledged the meeting, but cited “distortions†in the reporting.
He said: “I will take an opportunity to communicate to the NRM chairman with deep clarity.â€