By Odöngo Lango
Yesterday, the most poorly kept secret in Ugandan politics became even more poorly kept. The First Son, and the Commander of Uganda’s Land Forces, announced his retirement from the army after almost three decades of active service. In a viral tweet, the battle-hardened general said, “after 28 years of service….I am happy to announce my retirement…”
With that announcement, the General caused a huge tectonic shift in Ugandan politics. The vast army of Gen Muhoozi’s fans on social media and in the countryside will have renewed motivation to kick up their campaign in the so-called “Muhoozi Project”. Gen Muhoozi is fresh from achieving diplomatic jiu-jitsu, when, in diplomatic talks with Gen Paul Kagame, the Rwandan strongman, he successfully negotiated the reopening of the common borders between Uganda and Rwanda at Katuna. This singular achievement in international relations has set the tongues of political talking heads wagging.
Similarly, the swift and blistering progress of Operation Shuja, the armed response of the UPDF to the ADF terrorist groups that had set safe haven in DRC in conjunction with the Congolese army, FARDC, has attracted international attention to Gen Muhoozi’s skillfulness in the theatre of battle. Renowned for his singular focus on the ordinary soldiers’ welfare, Gen Muhoozi leaves the army when the warriors of UPDF are better trained, better armed, and better motivated. It’s not for nothing that the UPDF is the most revered and respected institution in the country.
Gen Muhoozi now joins the murky world of politics. Being a frequent lightning rod for the opposition invectives, the soft-spoken general joins politics with an away match advantage: the NRM party. The NRM is the largest coalition of Uganda’s interests representing the diversity of the Country. The ruling party is stacked with star-studded, fresh-faced, and forward-looking young blood that is representative of the changing demographic in the country. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that, if and when Gen Muhoozi expresses an interest in the highest office in the land, he will win comfortably by huge margins.
There is a Chinese curse that says “May we live in interesting times.” Like it or not, we live in interesting times. They may be fraught with danger and uncertainty, but they are also the most auspicious of any time in the history of Uganda. We’re in for some interesting times moving to 2026. With the collective opposition in total disarray, Muhoozi’s win is assured. Dr Kizza Besigye, the NRM National Political Commissar, emeritus, has high-tailed from elective politics and is content to wave red cards and bang empty saucepans from Kasangati concerning his ever-changing pressure groups. Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known by his music band name, Bobi Wine, is getting increasingly beleaguered. Accused of grand corruption in the misuse of the IPOD funds of 3.1 billion shillings — taxpayers’ money that the IGG should interest herself in — the NUP principal is busy shadowboxing with Nobert Mao, the acerbic DP President General. NUP is cratering and does not present a viable threat to the NRM.
If you’re a betting person, place your money on Gen Muhoozi. The Lango people, wise in the art of the unexpected, say, “jer jer apyel wad-wuu” meaning, “move a bit so that we can accommodate your colleague”. Every political actor will have to take into consideration the Muhoozi factor henceforth.
The writer hails from Minakulu in Oyam District