Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa has publicly thrown his weight behind Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba to succeed President Yoweri Museveni in the 2031 general elections.

Speaking on Monday, 7 September 2026, at a function organised by the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) at its secretariat in Naguru, Kampala, Tayebwa declared that he had joined “several dignitaries and Patriots” to launch a civic endorsement of the Chief of Defence Forces as “our country’s president come 2031.”

In remarks later posted on his X account, Tayebwa framed the endorsement as a grassroots expression of popular will rather than an official political campaign.

“This is our own choice as citizens to call upon him to accept our request for him to lead us once the father of the nation, President Museveni, retires,” he wrote.

The event was attended by ministers, Members of Parliament, senior citizens, business representatives and other PLU supporters. Tayebwa emphasised that PLU is a civic organisation that promotes patriotism, service and national development, working closely with the National Resistance Movement rather than competing with it.

He clarified that the current mobilisation is a citizen-driven call and not a formal presidential campaign by Gen Muhoozi, who remains an active military officer. Under the UPDF Act, a serving officer must resign or retire from the armed forces before seeking elective political office.

The endorsement by a sitting Deputy Speaker marks a significant development in the emerging conversation around Uganda’s political succession five years before the 2031 polls. Gen Muhoozi, who chairs the PLU, is the son of President Museveni and currently holds the highest military office in the country as Chief of Defence Forces.

Tayebwa’s public backing adds to growing visible support for Muhoozi within sections of the ruling establishment, business community and civic networks. The PLU has been mobilising signatures and organising events calling on the general to accept the request to lead the country after Museveni’s eventual retirement.

The Deputy Speaker said the organisation would continue strengthening its civic structures while promoting the values of patriotism and national development. The endorsement places the question of succession more firmly on the national political agenda.