Uganda: Is Uganda Becoming a Monarchy?

Ugandan President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has been in power since 1986. Before the last elections in 2011, some people thought he was not coming back for the third term, but he surprisingly showed up and worn the election.

He then said he would retire at 75. When his third term comes to an end in 2016 he will be just 72, meaning he will still be capable of standing for the fourth term.

A few weeks ago, citizens started speculating about who will succeed the president if he does not come back in 2016 for a forth term.

Yoweri Museveni with Ugandan MPs at Parliament. Photo courtesy of ugpulse.com.

Some of the names listed in the speculation included his wife Janet Kataha Museveni, his son Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Amama Mbabazi, the current Prime Minister and Museveni's close friend, and Rebecca Kadaga, the current speaker of Parliament.

Rumors started moving round in Uganda that the president was supporting his wife Janet for succession. Ugandans quickly took to social media platforms to discuss the rumors.

Twitter:
@Since__1986 thought Janet Museveni has been a virtual president all along:

@Since__1986: Janet Museveni for President? What are Ugandans Smoking? Chic has been virtual president for 26yrs!!! Oh God!.

@kristinrawls asked:

@kristinrawls: @mjwilkerson What are your thoughts on Museveni endorsing his wife for presidency? Is it legitimate support? Will he just stay in office?

@mjwilkerson answered:

@mjwilerson: @kristinrawls No worries-Janet could contend but truth is Musevenino longer has political capital to dictate who's next, just influence it

@shopetie_101 thought Janet succeeding the president is a sign of greed:

@shopetie_101Uganda president,Yoweri Museveni wants wife,Janet Museveni to succeed him..black pple n greed!

Facebook:

Sseguya Gerald wrote:

Uganda’s Museveni grooms wife, Janet, to succeed him ., They never learn, do they? The wise learn from the mistakes of

Emeruwa Nkere suggested that African leaders should undergo compulsory psychiatric examination:

Ugandan President wants wife to succeed him at the end of his tenure- The SUN 31 May, 2012. It is reported that President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda wouldn't go beyond the official age limit of 75 years in office. Oh! what an African gentleman one would say. But this gentleman President wants his wife JanetMuseveni to succeed him and opposition is coming from nowhere. I want to agree with somebody sometime who suggested that African rulers- in fact African politicians including or especially Nigerians, aspiring to rule should undergo compulsory pyschiatric examinations to ascertain their mental balance since MOST of them behave like mental patients. Don't you agree? I do

Benon M Gowa compared Janet Museveni to other female politicians in other parts of the world:

Eehm, Mama Janet Kataaha Museveni(nee Kainembabazi),the country's First Lady since May 1986 has fast drawn out quite an impressive C.V, elevating her status from a mere itinerary mother figure to an elected M.P representing Ruhaama County then State Minister for Karamoja Affairs(16th February, 2009) currently to Cabinet Minister for Karamoja Affairs(27th May, 2011) AND no serious thinker should doubt the pending reality, that with the restoration of Presidential Term Limits, it will all then be within the bounds of possibility that she could be fronted by ruling NRM as the Party's flag bearer to run for Presidency jest like with Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, Argentina's current president who was annointed by her husband's Party(Frente Para La Vietoria) to replace him after his tenure expired in 2007 though the Democrats(in the US)outrightly rejected Hilary Rodmahn Clinton…

Medo Joseph wondered whether Africa will ever develop with this kind of “African madness”:

Medo Joseph President Yoweri Museveni is stepping down,First Lady Janet Kataaha Museveni has emerged as the preferred successor to the president!AFRICAN MADNESS!When will Africa Develope?

1 comment

  • Elazar Moshe

    Where do people come up with these wild allegations from? Has President
    Museveni ever stated anywhere that he wants his wife to succeed him as President? He has never said it! There was a poll and Mrs.Museveni was the most popular candidate for ordinary people who were polled. That says more about her good points and the fact that she is popular. It doesn`t say anything about President Museveni`s intent to promote her as the next president. Those of us who live in this country and have studied our president know that he would never endorse one of his own family to succeed him. It`s as clear as day!

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