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Uganda is entering a period in which the question of political succession can no longer be treated as distant. Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s declaration that he intends to seek the presidency in 2031 has brought that conversation firmly into the national arena. As the Department for Critical Thinking and Alternative Analysis at the Karamoja Anti-Corruption Coalition, we also feel that we need to contribute to this discussion.

Here, we begin with a 1995 study by Brett, Edward, titled “Neutralising the Use of Force in Uganda…” Brett argued that “bullets rather than ballots have dominated politics in Uganda since independence, where two governments have been removed by coups, one by a foreign invasion, and another by an armed rebellion.” From there, we go on to argue that the PLU, headed by General Muhoozi, represents more than a possible change of leadership.

To the supporters of Muhoozi, they see in him an opportunity for generational renewal, continuity, and a new political direction. Through the Patriotic League of Uganda, his supporters have already begun nationwide mobilisation and endorsement efforts, presenting him as a figure capable of carrying forward what they regard as the achievements of the current political order while introducing new energy and ideas.

The argument for Muhoozi’s presidency therefore rests partly on the question of transition. After decades under President Yoweri Museveni, Uganda will eventually have to confront the challenge of transferring political leadership. Supporters argue that a prepared successor could make such a transition orderly rather than uncertain. As some Ugandans have argued, “we need to see a peaceful transition of power, not war or chaos.”

Additionally, as Ernest Wamba-dia-Wamba cited in “Africa in Search of a New Mode of Politics” in 1994, argued, “Africa: We are living in a period of political crisis.” Therefore, if Muhoozi takes over power, this will be a historical moment for Uganda and Africa in general.

As a Department for Critical Thinking, we know that the journey from hope to reality is a long one. From here, we wish Muhoozi Kainerugaba well in his bid for the presidency of Uganda.

Ayub Mukisa, PhD, writes from the Department for Critical Thinking and Alternative Analysis at the Karamoja Anti-Corruption Coalition (KACC).

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Eddy Kenzo has addressed the growing controversy surrounding Bebe Cool and a group of creatives who claim they are yet to be paid for work they did during the recently concluded presidential campaigns.

Several artists, bloggers and other creatives who were part of Bebe Cool’s team have publicly raised concerns over alleged outstanding payments. Kenzo, who headed a separate team of creatives during the campaign period, has expressed sympathy for those involved, noting that they put in considerable effort in support of the president.

Kenzo said he personally feels for the creatives because he witnessed the work they put in as they travelled across the country during the campaign season.

“We worked with those children and moved with them across the entire country. Personally, it hurts me to see them complaining because they worked for our president and did a good job,” he said.

Despite sympathising with the affected creatives, Kenzo made it clear that he would not directly intervene in the dispute because he was not part of Bebe Cool’s team. He explained that getting involved informally could reopen the differences that previously caused a fallout between him and Bebe Cool.

However, Kenzo said the situation could be handled through his official position as a presidential advisor on creatives if the affected individuals formally presented their complaints to his office.

“The fact that I was not in that camp means I cannot intervene. Unless they come and report to me officially in my office as a senior presidential advisor. Maybe then I can advise them, but I haven’t received any official complaint. Whatever it is, we shall see how it ends because we are here,” he said.

Kenzo also acknowledged that he and Bebe Cool have had disagreements in the past. However, he revealed that the two recently crossed paths at the vigil of the late Alex Mukulu, where they exchanged greetings and went their separate ways.

The singer described the encounter as a sign that, despite their past differences, the two could maintain a level of peace and move forward.

Enock Mugabi aka iWitness is a Journalist, Seasoned Writer and Music Analyst with a passion for sports.
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KAMPALA — Police have arrested 82 suspects in a major security operation targeting a wave of theft, burglary and drug-related offences in Kampala, with investigators singling out a man they allege is a notorious Toyota Harrier grille thief.

The intelligence-led operation, conducted on Monday, September 14, swept through Mabitto in Nateete Central B, Nanfuka Zone, Kigwannya and Busega in Rubaga Division.

According to Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson SP Racheal Kawala, several suspects were found with exhibits including suspected opium sticks and suspected stolen mobile phones.

The operation was mounted against criminals suspected of exploiting heavy traffic to steal from motorists and travellers in Busega, Nateete and along the Northern Bypass, as well as those suspected of breaking into houses.

But it was the arrest of Juko Muhammad, alias “Kampala,” that drew particular attention during the screening of the suspects.

Police allege that Juko is a repeat and notorious offender who specialises in stealing Toyota Harrier grilles from vehicles trapped in traffic.

SP Kawala said police have linked the alleged activities to several parts of the city, including Kawempe, Bwaise, Nateete, Jinja Road and Kibuye Roundabout.

“The operation primarily targeted individuals suspected of engaging in theft from travellers and motorists during periods of heavy traffic in Busega, Nateete and along the Northern Bypass,” SP Kawala said.

68 remain in custody

After screening and verification, 68 of the 82 suspects remained in police custody, while investigations continue.

Police said preliminary findings indicate that some of the suspects are repeat offenders, having previously served custodial sentences for similar offences before allegedly returning to the community and resuming criminal activities.

The latest operation is part of what police describe as a wider intelligence-led crackdown on street and property crime in the capital.

SP Kawala warned that police would continue targeting individuals suspected of involvement in theft, burglary, drug-related offences and other forms of criminality.

“We will continue to conduct intelligence-led and targeted operations against individuals involved in theft, burglary, drug-related offences and other forms of criminality,” she said.

Police said the suspects will undergo further investigations, with those against whom sufficient evidence is established expected to be taken to court.

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Lt. Col. Frank Murema, Commander of 16 Service Brigade, yesterday challenged students of St. Mary’s College Kisubi (SMACK) to embrace patriotism, discipline, productivity and personal responsibility as they prepare to take on leadership roles and contribute to Uganda’s development.

Lt. Col. Murema made the remarks while addressing the students during a lecture on national power, where he highlighted the responsibilities of citizens in strengthening the country.

He identified five key elements underpinning national power: diplomacy, information and intelligence, the military, the economy and the population.

He explained that strong diplomatic relations promote international cooperation, while reliable information and intelligence enable effective decision-making. He added that a professional and disciplined military is essential for safeguarding national security.

According to Lt. Col. Murema, a resilient economy provides the foundation for sustainable development, while an educated, disciplined and productive population remains one of the country’s greatest assets.

Drawing lessons from Uganda’s development journey and comparing it with China’s experience, Lt. Col. Murema stressed the importance of education and skills development in preparing young people to participate meaningfully in the economy.

He particularly highlighted the role of the Competence-Based Curriculum in equipping learners with practical skills, innovation, critical thinking and responsible citizenship.

Lt. Col. Murema urged the students to cultivate conscious discipline, personal responsibility and a strong work ethic, noting that government programmes and support can only achieve their intended objectives when citizens complement them through individual effort and commitment.

On patriotism, he encouraged the students to love, protect and contribute to their country regardless of the circumstances.

He further emphasized unity, brotherhood and integration as important foundations for national development, while highlighting Uganda’s contribution to Pan-Africanism and its longstanding hospitality towards refugees.

The commander encouraged the students to look beyond Uganda and view East Africa and Africa as a shared market, urging them to embrace production, entrepreneurship and innovation as pathways to individual and national prosperity.

“The future is in production,” Lt. Col. Murema told the students, urging them to become productive, loyal and responsible citizens.

He also challenged the learners to use their knowledge responsibly, reject hatred and destructive influences, and maintain strong moral values as they prepare for adulthood and leadership.

The engagement concluded with an interactive question-and-answer session, during which the students actively participated and expressed appreciation for the lessons on patriotism, discipline, productivity and national responsibility.

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President Yoweri Museveni will on Thursday, September 17, 2026 preside over the groundbreaking ceremony for the Kampala Storage Terminal (KST) development, a major petroleum storage facility that will significantly increase Uganda’s storage capacity.

The terminal on about 300-acre site in Namwabula, Mpigi District, about 26km West of Kampala. will store up to 320 million litres of petroleum products, and will be linked to the planned Uganda Refinery through a 211 km pipeline from Hoima. , 

According to the Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC), the country currently consumes an average 240 million litres of petroleum products – petrol, diesel, jet fuel, and kerosene – a month. KST will complement the 30 million litres capacity Jinja Storage Terminal and other private terminals and depots in the country to strengthen Uganda’s ability to hold significant volumes of the petroleum products in the country to withstand prolonged supply disruptions as well as contribution to the stabilization of consumer and retail pump prices.

The construction budget is about US$310 million and the funding for the project has already been secured by UNOC with support from the Government. KST Terminal will receive both imported and locally refined petroleum products, serving Kampala, the central region and other parts of the country. It is expected to be a regional distribution hub for the petroleum products once the planned linking pipeline projects and the Uganda Refinery are commissioned. The facility will enhance UNOC’s capability to sustainably implement the mandate of sourcing and distributing petroleum products, will provide staorage and handling services to the Oil Marketing Companies, and also provide capacity for building  and managing Government strategic fuel reserves..

UNOC will own  100% of the terminal and will be responsible for it’s operations when commissioned.

The groundbreaking comes just two weeks after President Museveni named Uganda’s crude oil Pearl Sweet on 2nd September, 2026 marking yet another significant milestone in the country’s journey towards energy sustainability.

During the naming event, President Museveni pressed the case for domestic refining, arguing that refining Uganda’s crude locally would reduce some of the costs associated with importing finished petroleum products.

“Our refinery will be one of the most profitable because, first of all, it’s far from the ocean and it does not have the transportation cost which imported oil has,” he said. “When we refine our oil here, you don’t pay transit charges.”

The KST Hub will also include a future Mpigi Remote Refinery Terminal (MRRT)  which will enable different petroleum products to be received through the pipeline from Hoima, directed into storage and dispatched for onward distribution. Together, the refinery, pipeline, MRRT and KST will provide the infrastructure to move locally refined products from Hoima into the domestic market and some of the regional markets

The KST groundbreaking therefore adds another piece to Uganda’s emerging petroleum infrastructure, connecting the country’s progress towards crude oil production and refining with the storage and distribution infrastructure needed to strengthen domestic petroleum supply.

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