Muhoozi Kainerugaba, President Yoweri Museveni’s son, has been promoted to the rank of Lieutenant General, the second highest army rank in Uganda and the promotion is fueling debates in the country that the president could be grooming his son to replace him.
The 44-year-old First Son moved up to the rank of Major General in 2016 and a year later appointed as the Special Presidential Advisor for Special Operations.
He was previously head of the elite Special Forces Command, a unit in charge of his father’s security.
Muhoozi who was last promoted to the rank of Major General in 2016 according to a Feb.08 statement.
He was promoted together with 2030 others who were promoted due to either long reckonable record of service, successfully completing Grade II staff course and passing exams, completion of probation, retirement or to align with establishment appointments.
The promotions have seen two officers become full Generals, 10 move up to Lt-Gen, 16 to Maj-Gen, and 35 to Brig.
“The President and Commander-in-Chief of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces has confirmed the promotions of 2,031 UPDF personnel to various ranks,” read the statement by the army.
The preferment of Museveni’s son is likely to trigger debate on his succession plan with some observers saying Lt-Gen Kainerugaba could be a potential successor given his rapid rise through the army ranks since joining 20 years ago.
President Museveni, in power since 1986, is, however, largely expected to seek a sixth term in 2021 election.