Uganda’s Next Great President’: Journalist Allan Kasujja Stakes His Reputation on Muhoozi

Ugandan journalist Allan Kasujja, fresh from wrapping up an impressive thirteen-year career with the BBC, has delivered one of the most striking endorsements yet of General Muhoozi Kainerugaba. Speaking with the confidence of someone who believes he has seen Uganda’s political future up close, Kasujja described the First Son as a leader poised for historic greatness—perhaps even the country’s most significant reformer.

In a recent podcast conversation, the veteran broadcaster delved into his long and deeply personal friendship with the General, a relationship he says gives him a unique window into the man behind the uniform. With characteristic candour, Kasujja laid out what he believes Uganda can expect from Muhoozi if he eventually assumes national leadership.

“He will be Uganda’s transformational president, probably more than anyone else in Uganda’s history,” he said.

It was a bold assertion, offered without hesitation. For Kasujja, whose career has taken him across the world covering political heavyweights and global shifts, Muhoozi is not simply another powerful figure—he is someone he knows intimately. The journalist described their bond as one grounded in honesty, history, and enduring respect.

“He is my elder brother whom I have a lot of love and respect for. I know him deeply and we have had hours and hours of conversation. I understand where he has come from,” the journalist shared.

When asked what drives the General, Kasujja portrayed Muhoozi as a man propelled by a fierce dedication to national stability and long-term prosperity. According to him, the 50-year-old commander spends much of his time preoccupied with Uganda’s future, its cohesion, and its peace.

“His vision is for a prosperous Uganda where everybody has a stake and can thrive. These are the conversations we have had. There are very few people who go to bed and wake up thinking about Uganda and he is one of them. There is nothing else he is doing other than focusing on this country, on its stability and peace.”

Kasujja argued that Muhoozi’s professional record—particularly in the military—should be seen as the true indicator of his competence. Over the years, the General has been entrusted with high-stakes commands, and Kasujja believes his performance speaks volumes.

“You just have to see what he has done with the responsibilities that have been given to him,” he argued.

He added that senior figures within the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) consistently express appreciation for what they describe as a new era of clarity and decisive leadership.

“When you talk to the generals in the army, they will tell you, ‘now we know that decisions are made here. At the end of the meeting, we know where we are going with this.’”

At a time when Uganda faces the difficult task of navigating political transition, economic pressures, and a rapidly changing regional environment, Kasujja believes such decisiveness is not just admirable—it is essential.

For years, Muhoozi Kainerugaba has been widely viewed as the most likely successor to his father, President Yoweri Museveni. His nationwide mobilisation under the Patriotic League of Uganda, combined with his own declaration of intent to run for president in 2026, had cemented his position at the centre of succession debates.

Yet, in a twist that surprised both supporters and critics, the General—currently serving as Chief of Defence Forces—publicly announced that he would not be on the 2026 presidential ballot. Instead, he threw his weight fully behind his father’s bid for a seventh term.

Despite his popularity among a youthful online base, Muhoozi’s political visibility has frequently been overshadowed by the storms created by his social media activity. He is known for his explosive presence on X (formerly Twitter), where his blunt and often provocative posts have triggered diplomatic unease, international commentary, and heated reactions at home.

Some of these posts—including threats to invade neighbouring Kenya and pointed comments about opposition leader Bobi Wine—have forced the President himself to issue public apologies.

Work Speaks for Itself

Kasujja, however, offered a very different interpretation of the General’s online behaviour. To him, the social media controversies say little about Muhoozi’s leadership capacity and much more about his general disregard for image-polishing.

He is “not interested in PR” and does not see the value in explaining himself in interviews, Kasujja said.

The journalist compared him to his father, noting that Muhoozi seems to have inherited the President’s preference for action over self-promotion.

They have instilled a culture of ‘we do not talk about ourselves. We let our work speak for itself,’” he said.

Interestingly, despite Kasujja’s extensive experience in global media, he confirmed that Muhoozi has never sought his help in shaping or improving his public image—another sign, he suggested, that the General is determined to be judged purely by his performance, not by curated messaging.