Middle East & Africa | Not now, son

A dictator and his entitled son are holding Uganda captive

Family rule is a bad way to run a country

Lt. Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, son of Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni, attends a "thanksgiving" ceremony in Entebbe, Uganda late Saturday, May 7, 2022. Public fetes celebrating the son of Uganda's leader are raising concern that he is aiming for the presidency after years of apparently being groomed to succeed his father, who has held power since 1986. (AP Photo/Hajarah Nalwadda)
Uneasy lies the head that wants the crownImage: AP
|KAMPALA

Many fathers have complicated relationships with their sons. But when a family controls the state, personal matters become a national concern. Uganda’s president, Yoweri Museveni, has long cultivated General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, his eldest, promoting him in the army and forgiving his tempestuous moods. And now the son thinks it is his turn at the top. The result is friction in the army, chaos in the ruling party and confusion in the country.

This article appeared in the Middle East & Africa section of the print edition under the headline “Not now, son”

From the March 25th 2023 edition

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