November 10th, 2023. Uganda. Outside the Presidential Palace.

Museveni was looking towards the people; it was the first time in a long time that he had to do a speech. There were two different texts in the podium, right in front of him, one in English and one in Swahili; he took a brief moment to decide which language he was going to speak in, but decided to maintain English.

He coughed for a brief moment, and the news networks around him started to pay close attention as he began:

“As many of you know, I have been the legitimate President of Uganda for many years. Many years of development, of prosperity, of development and of peace. Many years of dreams. Many years of fighting for a better future. Today, I believe that its time for me to pass the torch. In a formal executive decision published three hours ago, I have decided to change my Vice-President, as is my legal right to do so, from Jessica Alupo, to my loyal and proud son, Muhoozi Kainerugaba.”

He paused for a moment as the – quite handsomely paid – columns of proud supporters started to clap and cheer his decision to appoint his own son as Vice-President.

“My son, the man whose political abilities I deeply trust, will be commanding Uganda during the remaining period of my elected term, from today, the 10th of November of 2023, until the elections of 2026. I have profound trust in his abilities, and in his dreams of making Uganda a better place. I do not shy away from the presidency, but my health, and my old age, require me to rest, and to give a new generation a chance to govern in my stead. Thank you.”

The speech was short, but it was direct, and it announced something that would impact Uganda in ways that no one could even imagine; in another barrack in southern Uganda, three officers were arrested for rebelling against the government, one of the officers proudly declared: “I am against Museveni and his crooked son. The Armed Forces must do what’s right, and it must protect our constitution and our country from becoming a nation of political dynasts! Out with the dynasty, in with the will of the people!” It did not take long for him to be hit in the head with a rifle, and to be dragged to jail.

Some rumors started to arise, especially concerning why the Min. of Security, Elly Tumwine, did not attempt to even curb the rebellion; the officers were under his military unit and under his command, yet he refused to do anything about it. This comes into play just a few months after another news report that the revolt in a military barrack in northern Uganda had also been through officers affiliated with Tumwine.

With the new interim President, many are left wondering if the tensions between the armed forces and the presidency will continue, or if Muhoozi will attempt to maintain a cordial – even prosperous – relationship with the generals, who were growing angry at the continuous rebuffing of Museveni during the end of his 35 tenure as leader of Uganda. Aronda Nyakairima was spotted meeting with a few high-ranking officials of the Special Forces Command in its headquarters, in Entebbe, on November 12th, just two days after Museveni stepped down for health concerns; some news outlets are reporting that the army, growing increasingly discontent with what they call “government arrogance”, are planning a demonstration.

President Muhoozi, on the other hand, appeared on the podium soon after his father left it, and as the new President of Uganda, he had prepared a long speech declaring his intentions and his dreams for Uganda, some of the highlights, displayed by the Ugandan media, were:

“I dream of a better Uganda for the future. A nation with appropriate resources for healthcare, for economic development and prosperity. I want a Uganda that can punish the wicked and bring about new dreams for every man, woman and child in the country. As our economy grows, so does the prosperity of every person in this nation, and I want it to keep it that way. Now and forever."

Another interesting highlight was stinging remarks by Muhoozi regarding a few members of the Armed Forces:

“I shall not name names, that is not my place to do so. But the Armed Forces have corrupting elements within it. Elements that would rather see Ugandans without healthcare equipment rather than see their pockets emptier, but their children healthier. It’s a shame that these elements would prefer to keep poking inconsequent revolts in the barracks, using their subordinates as pawns. I repudiate such behavior in ways that I can barely express in words; it’s disgusting, shameful and odious.”

The day concluded with Muhoozi expressing his faith that his father’s health will recover, and that Uganda will be prosperous under his administration. He has cited that he will be meeting with all members of his cabinet tomorrow, and will later, “possibly”, draft new economic measures to kickstart even higher economic growth.