KAMPALA, Uganda — The Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) on Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026, announced that Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Chief of Defence Forces and first son of President Yoweri Museveni, intends to contest for president in the 2031 general election.
The announcement was made by David (Daudi) Kabanda, Kasambya County MP and head of the office of the PLU national chairman, during a press conference and meeting at the group’s offices in Nakasero.
Kabanda said Gen. Kainerugaba had instructed him to inform journalists, MPs and supporters that he would “run for President 2031–2036” and “beyond.”
Kabanda also said President Museveni had sanctioned the bid, claiming that the president had promised to endorse Gen. Kainerugaba in the 2031 general elections.
“His Excellency the President has promised to endorse Afande MK come the next general elections in 2031,” Kabanda said.
He added that there was “no conflict between the two” and that “the journey has started now.” However, Museveni had not issued a public statement confirming the alleged endorsement as of the time of the announcement.
The launch was held under the theme “Muhoozi Gwe Akimala,” with PLU announcing plans to immediately begin collecting signatures in support of the bid.
Kabanda said the group is targeting 19 million signatures across 146 districts through a series of organised endorsement rallies. Approved district teams will record the names of supporters in a book to be submitted to Gen. Kainerugaba.
Michael Mawanda, PLU director for mobilisation and Igara East MP, said the group would announce its manifesto and other steps at a later stage.
Gen. Kainerugaba currently serves as Chief of Defence Forces of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces and as a senior presidential adviser on special operations.
Under Section 99 of the UPDF Act, a serving officer who wishes to seek elective office is required to resign or retire from the armed forces first. Mawanda said Gen. Kainerugaba would retire from the army at an appropriate time before campaigning.
The announcement follows a recent statement by Gen. Kainerugaba on X in which he said he would “stand for the highest office in the land in 2031.”
He had previously expressed interest in contesting the 2026 presidential election but later withdrew his bid and backed Museveni’s campaign.
Kabanda recalled that on March 9, 2025, Gen. Kainerugaba had told him that he would not contest in 2026 and had instead asked PLU to mobilise support for Museveni and National Resistance Movement candidates.
Kabanda has now called on NRM members and other Ugandans to reciprocate that support by backing Gen. Kainerugaba in 2031.
Several people who attended the meeting expressed support for the proposed bid.
Stephenson Yoyo Lokoru, MP for Chekwii East, said Uganda needed “young blood with new ideologies” after Museveni’s long tenure.
Twaibu Achile, deputy resident district commissioner for Pakwach, also pledged his support for Gen. Kainerugaba’s 2031 bid.
Kabanda further tasked NRM members and Ugandans more broadly with supporting the campaign.
The 2031 presidential election is five years away. There has been no independent public confirmation of Museveni’s reported position on the bid, while Gen. Kainerugaba remains a serving officer in the UPDF.
