Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister Norbert Mao is considered the ‘midwife’ of Uganda’s transitional politics from Gen Yoweri Kaguta Tibuhaburwa Museveni to a new Uganda. But the year by which he thinks Gen Museveni will peacefully hand over power is quite different from the one revealed by first son and senior presidential advisor on special operations Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba.
In Museveni’s succession plot, Gen Muhoozi and Norbert Mao are already considered key players: just like Muhoozi, Mao is not only considered the midwife of this transition but also a potential successor.
Months ago, Gen Muhoozi declared Norbert Mao the best opposition leader with potential to succeed Gen Museveni.
Mao, the Democratic Party (DP) president general said Muhoozi could be a prophet.
And months later, Norbert Mao signed a cooperation agreement with Museveni and was appointed Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister.
Norbert Mao says that one of his key assignments as Justice and Constitutional Minister is to work on the peaceful transition from Museveni and usher in a new democratic leadership.
Gen Museveni, currently aged 78, has been in power since 1986 when he took over power following a five-year bush war that claimed the lives of hundreds of thousands of Ugandans in the Luweero Triangle.
On his ascent to power, Gen Museveni did not only assure Ugandans that his takeover was not a mere change of guards, terming it a fundamental change, but also diagnosed the problem of Africa as leaders who overstay in power.
Yet Gen Museveni will have ruled Uganda for four decades by the end of his current term of five years (in 2026) for which he was reelected in 2021.
Then, Museveni will be aged 82. And it is not clear if he will seek reelection to end his rule to 2031, in which year he will be 87 years old.
In a country where no leader has ever peacefully handed over power since independence in 1962 (Uganda is celebrating 60 years of independence on October 09, 2022), the question of Museveni’s succession has become critical.
The country’s constitution does not bar presidents from overstaying in power, thanks to two key amendments that have aided Museveni’s firm grip on power. The term limits were removed from Uganda’s supreme law in 2005, allowing Museveni to run for as many five-year terms of office as he wants. In 2017, Parliament removed the age limit clause from the Constitution, allowing Museveni to run for president beyond the age of 75.
WHICH YEAR, SEVO?
As Gen Museveni grows older, there are hints to when he could leave power. A few days ago, Norbert Mao said there would be a new Uganda in 2031 and that Gen Museveni will peacefully hand over power. (Read Story Here)
That would that Museveni will run for reelection in 2026, leading the country for another five years until 2031 when he will be 87 years old.
Factoring in the argument that his son, now an army General, Muhoozi Kainerugaba is largely considered a frontrunner in the succession politics, there could be some truth to Mao’s declaration of 2031 as the year Museveni will retire.
This is because, months ago, Gen Muhoozi announced he was retiring from the national army but later changed his mind and announced that he will leave the UPDF in 2030, which will just be one year to the 2031 presidential election. (Read Story and Watch Video Here).
However, things are changing so quickly that Museveni’s retirement could happen earlier than 2031, with the year 2026 most likely.
On Tuesday, October 04, 2022, Gen Museveni ‘fired’ his son Muhoozi, aged 48, from his job as the Commander of the UPDF Land Forces but promoted him to the rank of general, the highest in the Ugandan army. (Read Story Here).
For Muhoozi to jump full swing into the murky waters of politics and beginning preparations to succeed his father, he has to first retire from the national army. This is the only remaining hurdle.
Before he was ‘fired’ and promoted to full general, Muhoozi had made a shocking revelation on taking over power from Museveni in 2026. (Read Story Here).
This hint on 2026 and Norbert Mao’s 2031 revelation are what are creating the confusion on the exact year Gen Museveni will retire to Rwakitura and peacefully allow a new generation to steer the country forward.
Amidst this confusion, a prophet who correctly predicted William Ruto’s presidency has revealed the person who will be Uganda’s next president after Museveni. (Read Story Here).
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