Joining the queue: It’s no longer risky to try to unseat Museveni

Vulnerable? In less than two weeks, former Vice President Gilbert Bukenya declared he would challenge his former boss within the ruling NRM and for presidency and army generals spoke against Mr Museveni fronting his son, Brig Muhoozi Kainerugaba, for the presidency.

Mr Sebunnya says Mr Museveni is “still very popular within Buganda and his relations with the Kabaka have improved in the recent past,” allowing Prof. Bukenya “no chance” to triumph.
When he was vice president, Prof Bukenya was accused of cultivating the Buganda and Catholic constituencies as a basis for his presidential bid. Time will tell whether Mr Bukenya can galvanise opposition against Mr Museveni or the opportunity will be snapped up by another figure, also “more likely to come from the NRM fold,” according to former Supreme Court Judge Prof. George Kanyeihamba.

emukiibi@ug.nationmedia.com