Succession Battle Or? Why Muhoozi Is Fighting His Brother In-law Rwabwogo – Secrets Leak On Rwabwogo’s Presidential Ambitions

Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba last year in August sent out an eyebrow-raising message on social media, branding his brother-in-law as a thief.

Gen Muhoozi, who is President Yoweri Museveni’s first-born son and serves as the Chief of Defense Forces (CDF) of the national army took to X to make the shocking allegation against Mr Odrek Rwabwogo.Rwabwogo is the husband of Muhoozi’s sister, Pastor Patience Rwabwogo.

“Mzee, you arrested my friend, Michael Mawanda and you are comfortable taking pictures with the BIGGEST THIEF in Uganda,” posted Gen Muhoozi.

The CDF was referring to the recent arrest of the Igara East MP on corruption allegations. Mawanda holds the position of Director for Mobilization in the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU).

He was arrested with fellow MPs Paul Akamba and Ignatius Wamakuyu Mudimi and remanded to Luzira Prison over allegations of corruption involving the mismanagement of UGX 164 billion intended for the compensation of war-affected cooperative societies in Uganda.

The charges include theft, embezzlement, and conspiracy to defraud. Investigations revealed irregularities such as inflated payments and funds being diverted to non-existent claimants. Gen Muhoozi previously claimed that Mawanda was being targeted for his political affiliations.

The attack on his brother-in-law, however, caught many by surprise.Mr Rwabwogo runs an entity called The Presidential Advisory Committee on Exports and Industrial Development (PACEID), which was commissioned by President Museveni in 2022.The committee describes itself as a think tank that advises President Museveni on strategic and systemic interventions, aimed at accelerating export growth and industrial development for national transformation.

The committee in the recent past has faced questions about its approach, particularly the significant changes proposed to traditional systems in Uganda’s export and industrial sectors.Additionally, there is scepticism about whether PACEID’s ambitious goals—such as doubling Uganda’s export value by 2028—are realistic given the current infrastructural and market challenges.

President Museveni however, has repeatedly endorsed Mr Rwabwogo’s initiative and its focus on adding value to Uganda’s agricultural products as well as its ambitious goal of increasing the country’s export revenue from under $5 billion to $12 billion by 2028.But Many People see Muhoozi s battle with the brother in-law as a succession battle and who is proving himself right to succeed Museveni.

Is Rwabwogo Eyeing Presidency?

President’s advisor on Special Duties, Odrek Rwabwogo recently distanced himself from rumours that he is eyeing the presidency.Rwabwogo who is married to one of Museveni’s daughters Patience was forced to respond to statements and social media campaigns that he wants to stand for the highest office in the land come 2026.

“In the past, I have ignored this but I am now compelled to respond given the probable import and interpretation of these images by some of you my friends,” Rwabwogo said.

“These interviews and videos have been adulterated and presented as if they were conducted today yet they are more than six years old,” he added.

Rwabwogo revealed that the people doing this are seeking to create impression that there are some special people in the movement who are jostling for positions in the event of any form of succession and leadership in the party or in the country.

“They assume that if they throw my name in this melee, it makes their games appear legitimate and credible. This is wrong. You will not use me or any one I work with in this undisciplined and aimless behaviour,” he noted.

He also cautioned that they should know Uganda is neither a monarchy nor a Movement of a tree for charlatan climbers to be abused by any illegitimate interests anyhow.

“Legitimacy in a Movement and in any organisation is a function of merit, capability and contribution. These attributes can only grow from the soil called orderliness and watered by a stream called transparency,” Rwabwogo emphasized.