Chief of Defence Forces Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba has declared that he will win the 2031 presidential election, stepping up his public messaging around a political ambition that has increasingly dominated Uganda’s succession debate.
Gen Muhoozi, who is also chairman of the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU), made the declaration on social media yesterday, thanking what he described as millions of Ugandans, particularly the youth, for supporting what he called a “quiet and patient revolution”.
“I thank the millions of Ugandans, especially the youth for supporting our quiet and patient revolution. As Che Guevara used to say ‘Venceremos!’ We shall win in 2031!” Gen Muhoozi posted on X.
“Venceremos,” a Spanish expression meaning “we shall overcome” or “we shall win”, has historically been associated with revolutionary movements in Latin America.
The statement is one of Gen Muhoozi’s clearest expressions of confidence in his prospects in the 2031 presidential election, coming only weeks after his political movement began a nationwide campaign to rally support for his candidature.
His post immediately attracted responses from political figures and supporters, with some declaring that they were already waiting for him to take over the country.
Hon Michael Mawanda, the PLU director for mobilisation and Igara East MP, told Gen Muhoozi: “I assure you, our next president that millions of Ugandans are patiently waiting to vote for you in 2031. Victory is ours!”
Lillian Aber said the youth’s “patience, discipline and faith” in Gen Muhoozi’s vision would form the foundation of future progress.
Nicholas Twinamatsiko said the youth had placed their trust in Gen Muhoozi as their “generation leader”, while Hon Ali Ndawula Sekyanzi and Hon Otto Ishaa Amiza also responded to the declaration.
From MK Movement to PLU
Gen Muhoozi’s political journey has its roots in the MK Movement, which emerged around his growing public profile and birthday celebrations in 2022.
The movement initially brought together supporters who rallied around the then military commander, with some presenting it as an informal youth-oriented platform celebrating his military service and leadership. The movement gradually developed political overtones as discussions about Gen Muhoozi’s future and possible succession to his father, President Yoweri Museveni, intensified.
According to PLU, the MK Movement grew out of spontaneous birthday rallies in 2021 and later developed into a broader national mobilisation effort.
On February 7, 2024, the MK Movement was formally transformed into the Patriotic League of Uganda during a launch in Kampala. The new organisation presented itself as a civic movement focused on patriotism, national unity, development and responsible citizenship.
Contemporary reports said the PLU was intended to build on the structures of the MK Movement, with supporters seeking a broader national platform.
Although the organisation initially avoided describing itself as a political party, it increasingly became associated with Gen Muhoozi’s political ambitions.
Today, PLU describes itself as a civic organisation and political pressure group operating within the National Resistance Movement (NRM) tradition, with Gen Muhoozi as its national chairman.
The 2031 declaration
Gen Muhoozi’s presidential ambition was formally brought into the open on September 1 this year when David Kabanda, the executive secretary in the office of the PLU national chairman, announced that the General would contest the 2031 presidential election.
Kabanda said the decision had been sanctioned by President Museveni, although the President has not formally announced his own position on the 2031 election.
The announcement marked a significant shift from years of speculation surrounding Gen Muhoozi’s political ambitions to an organised campaign to position him as a possible successor to his father.
Gen Muhoozi has previously publicly expressed his desire to become president, although his political plans have evolved over several years.
His supporters have increasingly framed his potential candidature as a generational transition within the NRM, portraying him as a leader capable of attracting younger Ugandans while preserving the political and security gains associated with the Museveni government.
PLU has since launched an endorsement drive across the country, seeking support for Gen Muhoozi ahead of 2031. The organisation has established endorsement structures in districts and has also developed an online platform through which supporters can register their backing.
The campaign has attracted support from MPs, political leaders, business personalities, youth groups and other public figures.
Among those who have endorsed Gen Muhoozi are former Vice President Edward Ssekandi and legislators from different regions, including Ankole and Tooro. PLU has also been conducting mobilisation activities in Kampala and northern Uganda.
From soldier to political figure
Gen Muhoozi, 52, is the eldest son of President Museveni and has spent much of his adult life in the military.
He joined the Uganda People’s Defence Forces and rose through the ranks, serving in senior command positions including leadership of elite military formations before becoming Commander of the Special Forces Command.
His growing prominence in the military and his public profile as the President’s son made him a central figure in discussions about political succession.
He was appointed Chief of Defence Forces in March 2024, placing him at the head of Uganda’s military establishment. He concurrently chairs PLU, giving him an unusual position at the intersection of military leadership and an increasingly active political movement.
PLU’s current leadership describes him as both CDF and chairman of the organisation, while presenting the movement as one aimed at mobilising Ugandans, particularly young people, around patriotism, service and national development.
His political ambitions have, however, raised questions over the constitutional and legal requirements governing serving military officers.
Under Section 99 of the UPDF Act, a serving officer who wishes to seek elective political office must first resign or retire from the defence forces in accordance with the applicable regulations.
For now, Gen Muhoozi remains CDF while PLU supporters conduct mobilisation and endorsement activities for his prospective 2031 candidature.
A long road to 2031
The latest declaration therefore represents another stage in a political journey that has moved from informal birthday gatherings around the MK Movement to a nationwide organisation openly preparing the ground for a presidential bid.
PLU officials have insisted that the movement is working within the NRM framework rather than seeking to replace it. Its leaders have repeatedly presented Gen Muhoozi’s candidature as part of the question of succession within the ruling party.
The movement’s mobilisation has gathered momentum since September, with endorsements coming from political leaders in several parts of the country.
For Gen Muhoozi, however, the message now appears increasingly direct: he believes the groundwork being laid by PLU, particularly among Uganda’s youth, will translate into victory when the country goes to the polls in 2031.
His declaration that “we shall win in 2031” is likely to further intensify debate over Uganda’s political succession, the future of the NRM and the role of the military in the country’s politics.
It also places Gen Muhoozi firmly at the centre of the emerging post-Museveni political conversation, five years before the next presidential election.
Author Profile
- Charles Gazza Kodili is a seasoned journalist with over 20 years of experience in the media industry. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communication. He’s currently the Chief Editor at the Investigator.
Charles can also be reached via; Tel: +256 774 108978
Email: [email protected]
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