Politics · Other · 2 hrs ago
Uganda succession tensions rise as army chief arrests senior officers
Uganda's army chief Muhoozi Kainerugaba has overseen arrests of senior officers over the past 15 months.
Kainerugaba is the son of President Yoweri Museveni, who has ruled Uganda for four decades.
The arrests come as questions grow over who will succeed Museveni, with Kainerugaba widely seen as a possible successor.
This week, he threatened Vice-President Jessica Alupo with dismissal and possible arrest, and suggested he should take her role.
Uganda's ruling party has not agreed on backing Kainerugaba as Museveni's successor, though it says claims that it rejected the idea are false.
Some observers see the arrests as an effort to sideline officers opposed to Kainerugaba's ambitions, while others say they reflect an anti-corruption drive.
Former deputy army chief Peter Elwelu was detained over allegations of plotting to destabilise the eastern Teso region; his family rejects the allegations.
The party says it will communicate any decisions through the proper channel and at the right time.
At least a dozen Ugandan generals and senior officers have been arrested over the past 15 months under army chief Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba.
The arrests have unsettled the military as tensions grow over who will succeed President Yoweri Museveni, who has ruled Uganda for four decades.
Kainerugaba, Museveni’s son, is widely seen as a potential successor, but his ambitions appear to face resistance within the ruling party.
This week, Kainerugaba threatened Vice-President Jessica Alupo with dismissal and possible arrest while suggesting he should take her position.
The arrests are viewed by some as political manoeuvring to sideline opponents of Kainerugaba and by others as part of an anti-corruption drive.
- Who
- Uganda’s army chief Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba has overseen arrests of senior officers. President Yoweri Museveni and Vice-President Jessica Alupo are also central to the succession tensions.
- What
- At least a dozen generals and senior officers have been arrested, amid speculation that the crackdown is linked to the succession debate.
- When
- Over the past 15 months. Kainerugaba threatened Alupo this week.
- Where
- Uganda.
- Why
- Some see the arrests as an effort to sideline officers opposed to Kainerugaba’s presidential ambitions; others view them as part of an anti-corruption drive.
Supporters of the political-manoeuvring interpretation
Supporters of the anti-corruption interpretation
Meaning of arrests
Supporters of the political-manoeuvring interpretation
The arrests may be intended to sideline military officers opposed to Kainerugaba’s presidential ambitions.
Supporters of the anti-corruption interpretation
The arrests may be evidence of an anti-corruption drive holding senior commanders to account.
Allegations against officers
Supporters of the political-manoeuvring interpretation
Political scientist Gerald Bareebe says allegations against some officers are widely viewed as politically motivated.
Supporters of the anti-corruption interpretation
The article reports that others see the arrests as accountability for senior commanders.
At least a dozen generals and senior officers were arrested under Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba.
Former deputy army chief Lt Gen Peter Elwelu was detained over allegations that he had plotted to destabilise the eastern Teso region.
The National Resistance Movement’s top leadership met to discuss political, social and economic issues.
Kainerugaba threatened Vice-President Jessica Alupo with dismissal and possible arrest and suggested he should take her position.
NRM Secretary General Richard Todwong Awany confirmed that the party had met on 10 November and said it would communicate decisions through the right channel, at the right time.
- Arrests
- At least a dozen generals and senior officers over 15 months
- Army chief
- Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba
- President
- Yoweri Museveni, in power for four decades
- Vice-president
- Jessica Alupo
- Former deputy army chief
- Lt Gen Peter Elwelu, detained on 2 November
- Recovered items
- 15 guns, military uniforms and two pickup trucks linked to Elwelu
What people are saying
completely false
The traitor Peter Elwelu is hereby stripped of his ranks. He is demoted to Private