Muhoozi Kainerugaba, son of Uganda’s long-serving President Yoweri Museveni, has formally declared his intention to contest the country’s presidency in 2031.

Kainerugaba, 52, announced his ambition in a series of posts on X on Tuesday, ending years of speculation over whether he would eventually seek to succeed his father.

“I will stand for the highest office in the land in 2031. And we will win by the grace of Almighty God,” he said.

The announcement further positions Kainerugaba as a potential successor to Museveni, who has governed Uganda for more than four decades.

Kainerugaba, who heads Uganda’s army and the Patriotic League of Uganda, a political pressure group, has for years been at the centre of speculation over the country’s political succession.

Expressing confidence in his prospects, he said he would secure 90 percent of the vote with the support of his father.

“Mzee will be my campaign manager,” Kainerugaba said, referring to Museveni by the honorific commonly used for him in Uganda.

Kainerugaba had earlier expressed an interest in contesting the 2026 presidential election but subsequently withdrew and backed his father, who went on to win the poll.

Museveni, 81, has been in power since 1986 and has overseen constitutional amendments that removed presidential term and age limits, enabling him to continue seeking re-election.

It remains uncertain whether Museveni will contest the 2031 election, when he would be 86 years old.

Kainerugaba’s declaration nevertheless puts the issue of succession firmly on Uganda’s political agenda, with the president’s son now openly positioning himself for the country’s highest office.