Ugandan military commanders are facing an unprecedented crackdown orchestrated by powerful army chief General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the son of long-serving President Yoweri Museveni. Over a 15-month period, at least a dozen generals and senior officers have been arrested, stoking intense political speculation regarding the presidential succession in Uganda.
Military Crackdown and High-Profile Arrests
According to an investigation by Uganda’s Daily Monitor newspaper cited by BBC News, at least a dozen senior officers have been detained since April 2025. The detained personnel include former deputy army chief Lieutenant General Peter Elwelu, who was taken into custody over allegations of plotting to destabilize the Teso region. General Kainerugaba had previously announced on social media that Elwelu was stripped of his rank and demoted to Private, raising legal questions regarding military regulations about social media announcements.
Other detained figures include former military intelligence chiefs Major General James Birungi, Major General Abel Kandiho, and Brigadier-General Charles Bakahumura, facing various allegations ranging from treason and terrorism to providing false intelligence. While some officers remain in detention, others have been released after General Kainerugaba announced he had forgiven them. The military defended these arrests as part of an anti-corruption initiative, with security analyst Freddie David Egesa noting that high-profile detentions help protect witnesses and demonstrate accountability. However, political scientist Dr Gerald Bareebe argued to BBC News that the detentions represent a targeted purge against officers perceived as opposed to the general’s presidential ambitions.
Political Friction and Ruling Party Divisions
The military arrests coincide with rising political tensions within the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) regarding who will succeed 82-year-old President Museveni, who has governed Uganda for four decades and secured a seventh term earlier this year. General Kainerugaba, 52, is widely viewed as a potential successor aiming for the 2031 presidency and leads the Patriotic League of Uganda political movement. However, a recent closed-door leadership meeting of the NRM ended without an agreement on a proposal to position the general as the next president, as several members reportedly spoke against it, according to AFP sources. NRM Secretary General Richard Todwong Awany confirmed the party met to discuss political issues but dismissed claims that the succession proposal was officially rejected.
Political tensions escalated further when General Kainerugaba used social media to threaten Vice-President Jessica Alupo with dismissal and possible arrest, demanding to take her position. Government spokesperson Allan Kasujja dismissed reports of a succession fallout as groundless, while the general’s social media account subsequently became inaccessible. Meanwhile, opposition figures continue to face pressure, with veteran politician Kizza Besigye detained on treason charges and runner-up presidential candidate Bobi Wine in US exile following threats from the army chief.
President Museveni remains in power as questions intensify surrounding the political transition and the future role of his family.
