Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni’s son avoids a father-son battle for the reins in Uganda, as he had previously announced that he was going to run in the 2026 presidential election. This would have become the first democratic election in the world where a son goes against his father. General Muhoozi, who is prominently known for his X messages, announced on Saturday that he would not stand and would back his father instead.

He stated that God had spoken to him, telling him to focus on his military duties. The announcement provides evidence that the long-serving Head of State of Uganda, General President Yoweri Museveni, who has been in power since 1986, will seek a seventh term.

“I would like to announce that I will not be on the ballot paper in 2026. Almighty God told me to focus on His Army first. So, I fully endorse President Yoweri Museveni in the next elections,” Muhoozi Kainerugaba, said on X.

It is unclear whether General Muhoozi, who had gained popularity among the youth and other members of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party, was pressured to withdraw from the race. General Museveni, 80, has not yet officially announced whether he will seek to stay in power. However, the NRM party has already endorsed him as their presidential candidate.

General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, his mother, and the Speaker of Parliament, Madam Anita, are seen as frontrunners to succeed President Museveni. “No civilian will lead Uganda after President Museveni. The security forces will not allow it. The next leader will be a soldier or policeman,” Kainerugaba added (ABC News).

Meanwhile, Uganda’s Youth Minister, Balaam Barugahara, said on X that he supported Kainerugaba’s endorsement of Museveni for the 2026 election. He further endorsed General Kainerugaba as the successor of President Museveni in 2031. “We look forward to President Museveni’s final term and eagerly await General Kainerugaba’s leadership in the 2031 elections when Museveni finally retires,” he wrote.

President Museveni is currently serving his sixth term, having received 58 percent of the vote in 2021.

The endorsements for President Museveni come at a time when Cameroon will witness the world’s oldest Head of State, President Paul Biya, running for office, likely securing his seat and completing his term at the age of 100.