Uganda's president appoints son as top commander of the army, raising succession concerns

Kampala, Uganda: Uganda s President Yoweri Museveni on Thursday appointed his son as top commander of the military, a controversial move in a country...

Kampala, Uganda: Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni on Thursday appointed his son as top commander of the military, a controversial move in a country where many have long believed Museveni is grooming his eldest child for the presidency.

Museveni's son, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has recently been holding rallies around the country, in violation of a law barring serving army officers from engaging in partisan politics.

But Kainerugaba says his activities - including the recent launch of an activist group known as the Patriotic League of Uganda - are nonpartisan and aimed at encouraging patriotism among Ugandans.

Kainerugaba was promoted to his new post late Thursday, according to a military statement. Two of his closest advisors have been given ministerial posts in a reshuffle of government ministers, also announced late Thursday, fueling speculation that Museveni supports Kainerugaba's political activities.

Museveni, who first took power by force in 1986 and has been elected six times, has not said when he would retire. He has no rivals within the ruling National Resistance Movement party - the reason many believe the military will have a say in choosing his successor. Kainerugaba's allies are strategically deployed in command positions across the security services, according to observers.