Highlights: Uganda: President Yoweri Museveni appoints his son to head the country's armed forces. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, accustomed to controversial statements on social networks, expected to succeed his father, aged 79, as president. At 49, the fiery general, often described as unpredictable, impulsive, divisive, but also as a very ambitious man, became the leader of the UDPS, the Ugandan army. But nothing is over, explains Kristif Tetica, who recalls his numerous controversial tweets which are detrimental to him.

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has promoted his son, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, to head the country's army, the defense ministry announced in a statement released on March 21. This announcement comes…

Uganda: President Yoweri Museveni appoints his son to head the country's armed forces

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has promoted his son, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, to head the country's army, the defense ministry announced in a statement released on March 21. This announcement comes after years of speculation about the future of Mr. Kainerugaba, accustomed to controversial statements on social networks, and expected to succeed his father, aged 79, as president.

[Illustrative image] Muhoozi Kainerugaba, right, son of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, in Entebbe, Uganda, May 7, 2022. AP - Hajarah Nalwadda

By: RFI Follow

Uganda

, President Yoweri Museveni, in power for almost 40 years, has just appointed his son, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, to head the country's army. An appointment announced in a press release from the Ugandan Ministry of Defense, and which revives speculation on the future of Muhoozi Kainerugaba, accustomed to controversial statements on social networks, and expected for years to take over from his elderly father 79 years old, to the presidency.

It's half a surprise

", however, believes a good expert on the country, who recalls that barely two years ago, Museveni had dismissed his son from the post of commander of the Ugandan land force, after controversial comments on the social network

Read alsoIn Uganda, new tweets from the president's son which raise questions

But – and this is “

the Ugandan paradox

”, he continues – Museveni had at the same time elevated him to the rank of 4-star general, the highest in the Ugandan army. As if the sidelining of Muhoozi Kaïnerugaba “

was a simple break to forget his blunders, while waiting to be recalled to high functions

”, specifies this source. It's done today.

It is not unanimous within the historical old guard of the army or Ugandan society

At 49, the fiery general, often described as unpredictable, impulsive, divisive, but also as a very ambitious man, became the leader of the UDPS, the Ugandan army, a prominent position which seems to confirm his official position as "

designated successor

,” said Kristof Titeca, professor at the University of Antwerp, contacted

by Esdras Ndikumana

Even if for years Yoweri Museveni and his son have always denied any idea of "

family succession

" at the head of the Ugandan state, several facts - notably the creation of a Muhoozi Kaïneruga Project which promotes his political opposition and civil society on the contrary.

But nothing is over, explains Kristif Tetica, who recalls his numerous controversial tweets which are detrimental to him and which are often sent late at night, in which he had, for example, threatened to invade Kenya. His father had to publicly apologize for this mistake. Another problem: it is not unanimous within the old historical guard of the army or Ugandan society, points out this Belgian specialist.

Uganda: President Yoweri Museveni appoints his son to head the country's armed forces

Uganda: President Yoweri Museveni appoints his son to head the country's armed forces

It is not unanimous within the historical old guard of the army or Ugandan society

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