Events promoter and media owner Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi seems to be the unofficial spokesperson of the Muhoozi Project groups. And when he gets a chance to sing the first son’s praises, he can’t help but wax lyrical about Lt Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba and how he is the man waiting in the queue to take over from his father Gen Yoweri Kaguta Tibuhaburwa Museveni, the man who has ruled Uganda since 1986!
While Balaam gets many chances to meet President Museveni, at the weekend, he was Museveni’s host as the president came to launch his mega projects in the media and the hospitality industries.
The president launched Balaam’s Radio 7 and laid a foundation stone for the establishment of Masindi Five Star Hotel. Later, Museveni addressed political and religious leaders as well as locals at the Boma Grounds in Masindi.
Balaam had a chance to speak in his capacity as the proprietor of a radio station and as a man doing a lot of work to popularize the Muhoozi Project.
The events promoter introduced the different groups of young people doing Muhoozi Project work. These included Team Chairman, Muhoozi Army whose leader is Igara East MP Michael Mawanga Maranga and the Revolutionary Guard.
He also assured the president that they were still loyal to him as they await his orders to ensure that Muhoozi becomes president.
Balaam also made it clear that Muhoozi groups were not in competition with Museveni and his NRM.
He also bragged about silencing Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine’s People Power and National Unity Platform (NUP) by showing how ‘loved’ Muhoozi was during the first son’s birthday parties.
“These groups are working tirelessly to destroy the bad image and publicity that had been created by Honorable Kyagulanyi and his friends,” he told Gen Museveni.
“We are not competing with you: we work with you and we shall wait for your guidance [on] when we can shoot but for now they [the Kyagulanyi group] are silent. Can you imagine, Your Excellency, we silenced them by just a birthday party? So, we love you Mzee. We have our loyalty [to you], we are your children. We shall work with you and Maama and NRM, and when that time comes, yes, because you have done your part.”
Balaam further made it clear to Museveni that they had chosen his son Muhoozi as his successor: the avenger and standby generator ready to replace the elderly general from Rwakitura.
“For us, we tell them if you don’t like Mzee, we have a standby generator. So, if you touch Mzee, we have an avenger. So, I belong to those millions of avengers,” said Balaam.
The use of Avenger to refer to Muhoozi came about after President Museveni explained the meaning of the name Muhoozi and why he named his son so. (Read Story Here).
READ: Museveni Reveals Special Name He Calls His Son Muhoozi and How it Came About
He went on to say that Museveni can rule Uganda for as long as he wants.
“The queen has died at almost 96 years. She has been on the throne for 70 years. You have only been in power for 35 years,” he noted.
“What is wrong with Museveni being in power for 45 years? Once you feel you can strike, let’s support you. If you feel you can’t kick, we shall go the other way: we have our transformer, backup, somewhere.”
It should be remembered that Muhoozi made a number of political statements during his birthday celebrations. Still a serving military officer and therefore not allowed to make political partisan statements, Muhoozi was even dragged to court for his utterances. (Read Story Here).
Muhoozi has since confirmed he will retire ahead of the 2031 presidential election. (Read Story Here).
