President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, who is the Commander-in-Chief of the Uganda Peoples Defence Forces (UPDF) last week promoted his son Muhoozi Kainerugaba to General, the highest rank in the Ugandan army. Museveni also dropped him from his position as Commander of Land Forces and replaced him with Lt.Gen. Kayanja Muhanga.
Various political pundits intimate that the move to promote Muhoozi is aimed at creating space for aspiring presidential contender Lt. Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba as the highest-ranking army officer.
Also, the development slowly clears the path for Muhoozi to formally enter electoral politics.
It should be noted that Muhoozi has always hinted about his intention to contest for the presidency despite the fact that the is still an army officer, something that contravenes Uganda’s constitution.
“To the Ugandan opposition, after my father, I will defeat you badly in any election. Ugandans love me more than they’ll ever love you,” reads one of Muhoozi’s recent tweets.
Following his promotion, Muhoozi through his official Twitter handle revealed that he was set to tour different parts of the world.
And over the weekend, Muhoozi, his cousin, Gen Salim Saleh’s son Alex Akandwanaho and a few close friends went to Kigali, Rwanda, and met with President Paul Kagame whom he refers to as his ‘uncle’.
The pundits intimate that Muhoozi Project (MK) taking shape as he’s actively holding different regional engagements.
Though the project is said to be run by his uncle Michael Nuwagira aka Toyota, as the chairman. His cousin, Gen Salim Saleh’s son Alex Akandwanaho is also a silent key member.
Besides making the trip to Kigali together, the two (Muhoozi and Alex) are said to be close buddies, as they spend lots of time together, especially away from work.
It’s said that Muhoozi influenced Alex to join the army, but sources say Alex only did the initial training and chose to do business over the military.
Alex is a director at Saracen, a security company, and also does other businesses with the help and guidance of Gen. Muhoozi.
Since the MK project began, Alex has been a bit silent, although he usually attends most meetings that plan for activities of the project.
Before the project was launched, Alex and his cousin always hang out together around Gaba Road and Munyonyo.
Making the trip with him to Kigali is an indicator that Muhoozi, just like his father, Museveni, might be choosing to have family closer.
Alex’s father, Gen. Saleh is known to be the closest confidant of President Museveni. Gen. Saleh has served as army commander, minister, and presidential advisor and now runs Operation Wealth Creation (OWC), which has for some time now been apportioned a sizeable sum from the annual national budget.
When Alex tied the knot with his longtime girlfriend, known as Manuella, Muhoozi was the best man.
Could Alex be MK’s advisor, could he be preparing him for big things, if he ever takes over power as he has indicated in some of his most recent tweets?
Sources reveal that recently, Alex’s security was stepped up, so he is not as free as he used to be a few years back.
Let’s watch the space.
