Besigye: Promotion of Muhoozi to rank of General is to prepare him for succession

He was promoted from his previous role as the Uganda People Defence Force's Land Unit Commander, a day after his controversial remarks which insinuated that it would only take him two weeks to capture Nairobi if Uganda was to invade Kenya.

In an interview with NTV on Wednesday, Besigye underscored that leadership in Uganda is implemented through the military which he noted will apprise citizens of an incoming "crown prince".

"Power is mediated through the military and his family. That is why Muhoozi has been in the military leadership because that is where succession needs to take place. Succession is in the military because Museveni himself is in the military," he said.

"What they are trying to do is to make everybody appreciate that there is a crown prince. The intention is to make it clear that there is a crown prince."

He further intimated that he, together with other activists in the nation, are fighting to end the long-standing gun-rule in Uganda which has impaired progress and growth.

The former opposition leader noted that he is advocating for a transition of power in the nation which has been long overdue.

"For us, our mobilization of the country is to reclaim power to the people. Uganda needs a transition, not a succession because they have been trying to confuse people that we need a new generation that Muhoozi represents the younger generation," he said. 

"The struggle is to move control of power from the gunmen to the people not from old to young. Anybody representing gun rule we want down. And that is when we will have real change of power without the use of guns."