Chief of Defence Forces Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba has directed members of the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) to stop publicly discussing a reported succession paper presented by President Yoweri Museveni during a recent meeting of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) Central Executive Committee (CEC). He instead wants his supporters to concentrate on securing public endorsements for his anticipated 2031 presidential bid.

In a message shared on Thursday, Muhoozi told PLU members to leave the sensitive matter to him and his father, warning them against further public discussions. “I hereby order all PLU members to stop discussing Mzee’s paper delivered to the NRM CEC recently. Leave these matters to me and Mzee. Focus on the endorsements from the people,” he wrote.

The directive comes after reports that Museveni presented a paper on political succession during a closed-door CEC meeting at State House Entebbe on October 27, 2026. The President reportedly discussed his son’s credentials, including his military career, patriotism, Pan-Africanism and efforts to fight corruption, while presenting him as a possible future leader of Uganda.

The reported succession paper was said to be part of a six-point agenda that also covered the economy, regional integration, strengthening the army, construction of the NRM headquarters and empowering district party leaders. Some senior party officials, including Central Region Vice-Chairperson Haruna Kasolo and NRM Electoral Commission Chairperson Tanga Odoi, reportedly welcomed the proposal. However, Hadijah Namyalo, who heads the Office of the NRM National Chairman, was said to have raised concerns about her security following the withdrawal of her guards.

Other reports indicated that Museveni told the committee that the wishes of the majority would prevail and asked members to keep the discussions confidential. Some CEC members reportedly requested copies of the paper for further consideration and proposed holding a retreat to discuss the succession question. However, the exact contents of the document have not been independently verified, and the NRM has not announced a formal resolution endorsing Muhoozi.

The matter attracted further attention after Kasambya County MP Daudi Kabanda, who serves as executive secretary in the Office of the PLU National Chairman, publicly claimed that Museveni had endorsed his son during the meeting. “President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has endorsed General Muhoozi Kainerugaba Museveni at the Central Executive Committee meeting held at Entebbe State House this afternoon,” Kabanda wrote on October 27. He did not explain whether the reported endorsement had become an official party decision.

Following Muhoozi’s latest directive, several senior PLU figures publicly pledged to follow his instructions. State Minister for Youth and Children Affairs Balaam Barugahara responded, saying, “Order taken supreme leader and next President.” Kabanda also promised that the group would return its attention to the grassroots endorsement campaign, writing that PLU members follow the chairman’s command and guidance.

The developments have renewed debate about Uganda’s political future and the question of who could eventually succeed Museveni, who has been in power since 1986. Although Muhoozi’s supporters have increasingly promoted him as a possible presidential candidate in 2031, the reported CEC discussions have not resulted in a publicly confirmed NRM position on his succession. Muhoozi’s order now signals that he wants PLU members to stop debating the reported paper publicly and focus instead on building support among Ugandans.