Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba has demanded an apology from Minister for the Presidency Milly Babalanda over statements he describes as falsehoods, warning that she could lose her government position if she does not apologise.

Muhoozi made the strong demand in a post on X, where he directly addressed the minister and expressed his dissatisfaction with what she had reportedly said regarding the political future of President Yoweri Museveni and the 2031 elections.

“I want an apology from Minister Babalanda for spreading falsehoods. Otherwise, she will lose her job!” Muhoozi stated, making it clear that he considers the matter serious and expects a response from the minister.

The remarks have added fresh tension to the growing political debate surrounding the 2031 presidential elections, particularly over whether Museveni will seek another term or whether Muhoozi will become the candidate expected to carry forward the political agenda of the ruling establishment.

The disagreement comes shortly after Muhoozi announced that he intends to contest for the presidency in 2031. His announcement attracted significant attention because it appeared to place his political ambitions firmly on the national stage several years before the election.

The announcement was also presented by the Patriotic League of Uganda as an indication that Muhoozi had received the green light to prepare for a presidential bid in 2031. The group further claimed that Museveni had supported or sanctioned his son’s political plans.

Muhoozi’s declaration was particularly significant because he had previously indicated that he would not challenge his father in the 2026 presidential election. Instead, he had supported Museveni’s continued political leadership while positioning himself for a possible future role.

However, statements attributed to Babalanda have now created a new point of disagreement. The minister has reportedly indicated that Museveni will still be on the ballot in 2031, a position that appears to conflict with the message coming from Muhoozi’s political camp.

The conflicting statements have raised questions among political observers and supporters about what the ruling establishment’s actual position is regarding the 2031 presidential race. If Museveni were to contest again while Muhoozi also sought the presidency, it would create an unusual political situation.

The issue has therefore quickly moved beyond a personal disagreement between two senior government figures and into the wider debate about Uganda’s political succession. Many people are now watching closely to see whether Museveni will eventually clarify his plans for 2031.

Muhoozi’s demand for an apology shows the seriousness with which he views Babalanda’s statements. Although he did not give further details in his X post, he clearly described the information attributed to the minister as false and demanded that she correct the situation.

His warning that Babalanda could lose her job has also attracted attention because of the positions held by both individuals. Muhoozi is a senior military officer and prominent political figure, while Babalanda is a senior government minister with responsibilities at the Presidency.

The public disagreement has consequently generated considerable discussion about whether the two camps are communicating different messages about the country’s political future. Supporters of Muhoozi are likely to view his statement as a defence of his announced 2031 ambitions.

At the same time, Babalanda’s reported position has raised questions about whether the current leadership intends to maintain Museveni’s political involvement beyond the next presidential election. Her remarks have therefore become part of a much wider discussion about the future direction of the ruling NRM establishment.

The controversy also comes at a time when political attention is increasingly turning toward the period after the 2026 elections. Even though 2031 is still several years away, Muhoozi’s announcement has already started conversations about possible leadership changes and succession within the ruling establishment.

The disagreement between Muhoozi and Babalanda has further intensified those conversations. Instead of a single clear message about the future, the public is now hearing different positions from influential figures associated with the government and ruling political establishment.

For Muhoozi, the matter appears to be about ensuring that his political position is not undermined by statements from other senior officials. His demand for an apology suggests that he wants Babalanda to publicly address what he considers to be misleading information.

The next move will therefore be closely watched, particularly whether Babalanda responds to Muhoozi’s demand and explains her position on the 2031 presidential race. Her response could either reduce the tension or create another round of political debate.

The controversy has once again placed the question of Museveni’s political future at the centre of national discussion. Until the President himself gives a clear position about his intentions for 2031, statements from different political actors are likely to continue generating speculation.

For now, Muhoozi has made his position clear: he wants an apology from Babalanda over what he calls falsehoods, and he has attached a serious warning to his demand. The dispute has added another chapter to Uganda’s increasingly visible debate over the country’s political future and the possible succession beyond the current leadership.