Chief of Defence Forces Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba has intensified his public remarks about Uganda’s Vice Presidency, urging the holder of the office to prepare for a handover and declaring that government under his leadership would operate on military terms.
The remarks, posted on X on November 9, came amid his repeated references to the Vice Presidency and appeared to target Vice President Jessica Alupo, although he did not mention her by name in the posts.
“About being Vice President. I think we have been diplomatic enough. Whoever is in that office should prepare to hand it over soon,” Muhoozi wrote.
In another post, he said his proposed administration would adopt military-style management to address what he described as inefficiency.
“As Vice President, the government will operate on military terms. There will be no more inefficiency,” he added.
Muhoozi also praised Members of Parliament for their support of the security forces, declaring that efforts by opponents would not succeed in Parliament.
“No enemy manoeuvres will succeed in our parliament,” he posted.
He further invoked the political ambitions of young people associated with the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU), a political pressure group he chairs.
“Our young people have a tryst with destiny. They shall not miss that rendezvous with history,” he wrote.
However, Muhoozi’s X account became inaccessible on November 10, prompting speculation and reactions among social media users. No official explanation had been given for the account’s disappearance.
The latest remarks add to a series of statements in which Muhoozi has spoken about his political ambitions and the possibility of changes in his military career.
Earlier in November, he said he was approaching the end of his tenure as CDF, claiming that he had completed the assignments entrusted to him and expressing an intention to hand over the position before devoting more time to his Christian faith. He later indicated that he would remain in military leadership for at least another year.
Muhoozi has also previously referred to a “young woman called Jessica” who, he said, had been “warming my seat for long enough”. The comments were widely interpreted as referring to Alupo.
Alupo, a retired Uganda People’s Defence Forces major, has served as Vice President since 2021. There has been no official announcement that she is expected to leave the position.
Under Uganda’s Constitution, the President appoints the Vice President, subject to approval by Parliament. Muhoozi’s social media statements have not been accompanied by any formal government communication announcing a proposed change in the office.
His remarks have also drawn attention to his previously stated ambition to contest for the presidency in 2031 and the possible political role of the PLU.
As of the time of the posts, neither State House nor the Vice President’s office had issued an official statement on a possible change in the Vice Presidency.
