Political temperatures are rising in anticipation of the 2025/2026 general elections stocked up by some hard-hitting tweets by Uganda’s First son and Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba.
The Electoral Commission has released a revised roadmap for the upcoming general elections, detailing key activities and timelines. The roadmap indicates that field demarcation of constituencies and electoral areas and reorganisation of polling stations have been completed.
Gen. Kainerugaba, son of President Yoweri Museveni, has been active on social media, expressing support for his father’s potential seventh term, indicating that this may be his father’s final run, and warning of dire consequences for unfavourable political discourse.
In a now deleted tweet to his one million followers using the handle @mkainerugaba; “2025 is the year Ugandans will learn what the rule of law-and-order means! Any Police Commander who does not shut down any public meeting where the President, CDF, senior Government Officials or members of the First Family is being abused will face strong actions!!.”
In another tweet he added: “Mzee’s last term in 2026, I request all Ugandans to give Mzee the best send off ever! Let Mzee get over 80% of the vote for the first time. Target 80%.”
Opposition Activities
Prominent opposition figure Kizza Besigye recently appeared before a military court in Kampala after being reported missing in Kenya, raising concerns about political freedoms and human rights in Uganda.
This follows the recent release of several detained members of the popular National Unity Platform (NUP). Some of them were recently released from the same military court. The Gen’s tweets did not spare the NUP party President Kyagulanyi Sentamu, the leading opposition figure. He referred to him as “Kabobi.”
In one, he tweeted: “Kabobi has called me many things…Stupid! A Fool… etc. But everytime I see him I remember Zakayo. Is he fully human? Or is he a Neanderthal??.”
There are discussions underway regarding potential changes to the presidential election process, including a proposal for lawmakers to elect the president instead of a direct public vote. This proposal has sparked debate about its implications for democratic governance.
