Endorsement Is Not the Same as Election
The argument that Uganda’s endorsement of Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba presents an opportunity to prepare for “a new generational phase of leadership” sounds reassuring. The problem is to assume the very thing that remains constitutionally contested. The succession is already sufficiently settled and provided for in the Constitution and should be treated as a question of competition rather than preparation.
There is nothing wrong with Ugandans expressing admiration for, or confidence in, any potential presidential candidate. Muhoozi is entitled to seek the presidency, and Ugandans are entitled to support him.
But an endorsement is not an election.
More importantly, this is not an ordinary civilian candidate being endorsed five years before an election. Gen. Muhoozi is currently Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces. His supporters are organising a nationwide endorsement campaign while he remains the country’s highest-ranking military commander. The campaign has attracted ministers, MPs, business figures and other prominent citizens. The Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Thomas Tayebwa, has publicly participated in it.
That raises a constitutional question which rhetoric about “the aspirations of a changing nation” cannot answer.
Uganda’s Constitution (Article 208) requires the UPDF to be non-partisan and subordinate to civilian authority. The UPDF Act also places restrictions on the political activity of serving officers. The fact that the organisers describe the exercise as “civic” rather than political does not settle the substance of the matter.
Indeed, there is something rather curious about a process in which citizens are being mobilised purpotedly to persuade the serving commander of the armed forces to become their president.
In a constitutional democracy, the normal sequence is the reverse: a military officer leaves the military, enters civilian political life, seeks nomination, campaigns among citizens and ultimately asks voters for their mandate. This is what General Muhoozi should do.
There is also a larger democratic principle at stake. Elections are designed to allow citizens to determine who governs them—not merely to ratify a succession whose political infrastructure has already been assembled. NRM as a party should open up the position and allow all interested legally qualifying members to present themselves and be processed democratically in accordance with the party rules and the law.
Uganda does not need to reject Muhoozi to insist on this principle. Nor does questioning the process amount to hostility towards President Museveni, the NRM or the General himself.
It simply means that no individual should be bigger than the constitutional order he seeks to govern. The Constitution and the law must be respected and complied with.
Ugandans may endorse whoever they wish. But the final endorsement that matters is the one cast freely, equally and secretly by voters at the ballot box.
Until then, succession should remain an open political contest in a leveled playing field —not a coronation in waiting.
Asuman Kiyingi is a senior advocate of the High Court of Uganda, former Member of Parliament and former Minister.
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