Son of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni vows war against graft as military commander

By Hamza Kyeyune,

KAMPALA, Uganda (AA) - The son of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni pledged Friday to fight corruption in the military after taking over as its top commander.

Muhoozi Kainerugaba, a general and the eldest son of Museveni, “vowed to improve the welfare of soldiers by fighting the evil of corruption and mismanagement of resources,” in his acceptance speech.

Museveni, who has ruled for nearly 40 years, appointed his 49-year-old as the new Chief of Defense Forces (CDF) last week, a move opposition politicians criticized as a ploy by the president to groom his son for the presidency.

Museveni has repeatedly denied the accusation, which is commonly referred to as the “Muhoozi Project.”

Prior to his appointment as CDF. Muhoozi served as senior presidential advisor in charge of special operations. He previously announced he would succeed his father as president.

Muhoozi has been holding rallies recently, violating a law barring serving army officers from engaging in partisan politics.

As a high-ranking military official, Muhoozi is barred from speaking publicly about political matters, but he said his activities are nonpartisan.

Opposition politicians said that Museveni appointing family members rather than thinking of the national plight is worrying.