Uganda ruling party rejects Museveni succession plan, sources say

Five party sources told AFP that the leadership of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni's ruling National Resistance Movement rejected his plan to designate his son, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, as his successor.

The sources said a vote at a closed-door executive committee meeting on Tuesday was abandoned after several of the 28 members spoke against Kainerugaba's candidacy and received loud support. Four members had voted in favour and three against when the vote was called off, they said.

Kainerugaba, 52, is the head of Uganda's army and has vowed to run in the presidential election scheduled for 2031. Museveni, 82, has ruled Uganda since 1986.

One person present told AFP that Kainerugaba's combative conduct had created unease within the party. Another participant said NRM vice-chairman Calvin Echodu advised Museveni to retire his son from the army and give him a civilian role to prepare for possible leadership.

The attendees described the meeting as an unusual act of defiance against Museveni. They said the president had raised the succession issue in late October by presenting party leaders with a paper suggesting his son had the credentials for the role.

AFP reported that Kainerugaba has drawn criticism over inflammatory social media posts, including claims about torturing opponents and threats against political rivals.