Endorsing Gen Muhoozi for Presidency Is a Vote of No Confidence in Museveni – Ofwono Opondo Tells NRM Politicians

Former government spokesperson and Member of Parliament representing older persons, Ofwono Opondo, has criticised National Resistance Movement (NRM) ministers and senior politicians endorsing General Muhoozi Kainerugaba for the presidency, arguing that their actions amount to a vote of no confidence in President Yoweri Museveni. Opondo questioned why government officials were already promoting a potential successor just months after Museveni secured a fresh presidential mandate.

Speaking on Capital FM’s Capital Gang programme on Saturday, Opondo expressed concern over the growing number of NRM leaders publicly declaring support for Muhoozi’s potential 2031 presidential bid. He argued that the timing of the endorsements raises questions about the confidence these officials have in the president they currently serve.

“Five months after an election and immediately you see a beeline of ministers endorsing a presidential aspirant. What does it tell you? Isn’t it…a vote of no confidence in the president, who was given a mandate five months ago?” Opondo asked.

The legislator also criticised what he described as a lack of seriousness among some Cabinet members, warning that political leaders should not treat important matters of party leadership and succession as a game. He urged NRM members to respect established rules and exercise discipline when expressing their political ambitions and preferences.

“I am an elder of the NRM and I am honest. We must follow the rules,” Opondo said, emphasising the need for party members to observe established procedures instead of rushing to promote future presidential candidates while Museveni remains in office.

His remarks come as the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU), chaired by Muhoozi, intensifies efforts to secure endorsements for the general’s proposed 2031 presidential bid. The campaign has attracted several government officials and political mobilisers who have publicly expressed support for his possible candidacy.

On October 2, 2026, Agriculture Minister Frank Tumwebaze led a delegation of Tooro Members of Parliament to the PLU chairman’s office in Nakasero, where they endorsed Muhoozi. The delegation met PLU officials, including Daudi Kabanda, head of the chairman’s office, and Michael Mawanda, the organisation’s director of mobilisation.

State Minister for Local Government Justine Nameere Nsubuga also endorsed Muhoozi during a visit to the PLU secretariat in Naguru on September 22, 2026. Internal Affairs Minister Juma Witonze Kisekka followed on October 13, reportedly leading a delegation of Mpigi mobilisers as the organisation pursued its target of collecting 20 million signatures.

Other political figures have reportedly taken organisational roles in the endorsement campaign. Kampala Minister Minsa Kabanda and former minister Musa Echweru were appointed to coordinate the exercise in September, according to Uganda Broadcasting Corporation, as the PLU continued mobilising support for Muhoozi’s political ambitions.

Opondo warned that such political activities could send confusing signals about the government's stability and potentially affect investor confidence. His comments have added to the debate over the timing of Muhoozi’s endorsement campaign, with supporters presenting it as preparation for future leadership while Opondo questions whether promoting another presidential candidate so soon after Museveni’s re-election undermines confidence in the sitting president.