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Muhoozi Kainerugaba is being groomed as his father's successor (photo from May 2022)
Photo: Abubaker Lubowa / REUTERS
Uganda's long-term president Yoweri Museveni has appointed his son to head the army. The Ministry of Defense made the announcement in a statement on Thursday evening after years of speculation about the future role of son Muhoozi Kainerugaba. The 49-year-old general has denied in the past that he wants to be his father's successor.
Former rebel leader Museveni has been president of Uganda since 1986. While he was praised for his commitment to good governance at the start of his term, he has since suppressed opposition and amended the constitution to keep running for elections. Every election since 1996 has been accompanied by allegations of fraud.
In 2022, the well-known Ugandan writer Kakwenza Rukirabashaija fled into exile in Germany. He alleged that he was tortured in custody after allegedly insulting Museveni and Kainerugaba - the latter of whom he called a "baby despot".
mrc/AFP