The former Inspector General of Police, Lt Gen Kale Kayihura, has bounced back to support the anticipated 2026 presidential bid of Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba.
Kayihura this past Saturday was among the key participants in the MK Movement Baraza held in Mitooma district, western Uganda.
The event, which attracted thousands of Muhoozi’s supporters, was also graced by Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa.
This was the second time in less than a year that Kayihura was attending key public events aimed at popularising Gen Muhoozi’s political brand.
Last year, Kayihura attended the Uganda-Rwanda reunion thanksgiving ceremony in Kabale.
At the function, Kayihura said Muhoozi has all the attributes of a good leader and the potential to succeed his father, President Museveni.
“Uganda is lucky to have Gen Muhoozi,” said Kayihura, “because he is a true Pan-Africanist and has all the qualities of a good leader.”
Kayihura is a great mobiliser and Muhoozi appears keen on tapping the former police chief’s vast networks as he embarks on his new political journey.
Kayihura and Muhoozi have been close since the 1990s when the retired general worked as a close military aide of President Museveni.
When Kayihura was arrested and jailed for reportedly abetting the forceful repatriation of Rwandan refugees, Gen Muhoozi worked from behind-the-scenes to secure his freedom.
Gen Muhoozi has since expressed his determination to stand for president in 2026. However, he has to first be retired from the army.
More so, President Museveni would have to step down as President as a race between him and Muhoozi is very unlikely.
Meanwhile, the MK Movement, a volunteer organisation mobilising support for Gen Muhoozi’s presidential bid, finally held their Baraza in Mitooma despite facing resistance from Internal Affairs Minister Rtd Maj Gen Kahinda Otafiire.
“Gen Muhoozi is not our future leader, he is our present leader,” said Ivan Asingwire, 27, a shopkeeper in Mitooma, “He understands our challenges better than anyone else because he is one of us.”
Betty Tukamushaba, 26, a Social Sciences graduate, said, “Gen Muhoozi should have come to this function because we wanted to see him and show our support. We are certain that he will address our main challenges which include the lack of jobs, poor road infrastructure and poor social service delivery.”
Didas Atukwase, 34, a boda boda rider, said “We want Gen Muhoozi as our next president because the elderly leaders have lost touch with us. We are struggling with high fuel prices and high poverty rates in our areas but you see government officials misusing or stealing public funds with impunity. He is our hope in dealing with corruption and abuse of our public resources.”
Otafiire resistance
Gen Otafirre has publicly expressed his opposition to Muhoozi’s presidential ambitions.
Otafiire’s supporters, including an NRM youth group in Mitooma, earlier this month held a press conference, denouncing plans to hold a Baraza in the area.
The minister’s supporters said the Baraza would not add value to their district.
“We will not allow Mitooma District to be used by self-seekers in MK camp. Mitooma is not a market to be used by the MK group,” said Bob Abemigisha.
It is understood MK Movement’s leaders appealed to President Museveni who later authorised the MK Movement to go ahead with the Baraza.
Gen. Muhoozi has been holding Barazas in different parts of the country.
His office said the barazas allow Muhoozi to listen to people’s challenges and find solutions to them.
In Northern Uganda, Muhoozi attended a Baraza where families complained of repetitive attacks by cattle rustlers. Muhoozi responded by ordering more deployment of security personnel in the area.
Otafiire, 73, belongs to the core of the old NRA guard that brought President Museveni to power by force of arms in 1986.
Insiders say this group fears the rise of Gen Muhoozi as he would clip their wings by relieving them of their positions in a government restructuring exercise.
Last year, Gen Salim Saleh tried to reconcile Gen Muhoozi and Otafiire in vain.
Otafiire has continued to criticise Muhoozi in public fora.
Tayebwa urged the youth to avoid the politics of division.
“Don’t allow yourself to appear in controversial videos by self-seekers because such acts will injure your reputation,” said Tayebwa.
He also said “the incredible display of affection towards my dear brother Gen Muhoozi yesterday truly exceeded all expectations. As a generation, it is crucial that we prioritise wealth creation and provide opportunities for our young people to thrive in the money economy.”
