KAMPALA — Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has announced that he will henceforth be known as Muhoozi Kainerugaba Museveni, adding his father’s surname as he prepares for a political campaign aimed at the 2031 presidential election.
Muhoozi made the announcement on X on Sunday, September 20, writing: “From now on my name is Muhoozi Kainerugaba Museveni. MKM.”
The announcement comes less than a month after Muhoozi publicly declared that he intends to contest Uganda’s presidency in 2031, positioning himself to succeed his father, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, who has been in power since 1986.
Muhoozi, 52, followed the name announcement with another post signalling plans for a nationwide political mobilisation.
“The political wave that is coming Uganda has never seen. Ugandans will speak with one voice for renewal and greatness. I will visit every corner of our great country and speak to our people. Abaana bakuzire,” he wrote.
He later posted: “Yes, we can.”
Name change not yet confirmed as legal
Muhoozi’s announcement does not by itself establish that his name has been legally changed.
Under Section 36 of Uganda’s Registration of Persons Act, 2015, an adult seeking to change their name must first publish a notice of the intention in the Uganda Gazette. After at least seven days, the applicant may apply to the relevant registration officer, who can amend the register after being satisfied that the statutory requirements have been met and the prescribed fee has been paid.
There was no public confirmation accompanying Muhoozi’s announcement that he had completed that process.
For now, his statement establishes his intention to use Muhoozi Kainerugaba Museveni, or MKM, as his public name.
2031 political ambitions
The name announcement comes as Muhoozi steps up his political activity ahead of the next presidential election cycle.
On August 25, he announced that he would seek “the highest office” in Uganda in 2031. Reuters reported that Muhoozi had previously been regarded as a potential successor to President Museveni and had earlier withdrawn from plans to contest the 2026 election in favour of supporting his father.
Muhoozi is also chairman of the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU), which has been conducting grassroots mobilisation following the 2026 elections. Recent reports have linked the organisation’s activities to efforts to build support around his prospective 2031 candidature.
His August declaration marked a return to an explicit presidential ambition after he abandoned plans to contest the 2026 election.
In 2024, Muhoozi withdrew his earlier presidential bid and called on his supporters to back President Museveni instead.
The addition of “Museveni” to his name therefore comes at a time when the military chief is increasingly combining his public military profile with overt political mobilisation.
Muhoozi has not announced that he is stepping down as Chief of Defence Forces in connection with his presidential plans. His dual position as military chief and prospective presidential candidate has already become part of public debate about Uganda’s 2031 political succession.
