Activist Nasasira Barnabas Kifefe has raised concerns over what he described as the long-term political implications of President Yoweri Museveni’s grandson Ruhamya joining the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF).
Kifefe’s remarks came after Museveni shared a photograph showing him spending time with Ruhamya and his colleague, Bakyira, shortly after the two young officers graduated from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in the United Kingdom.
In his statement, Kifefe said the photograph prompted him to reflect on Uganda’s political direction and the continued dominance of President Museveni and the National Resistance Movement (NRM).
“I looked at this photo, and honestly, it was painful,” Kifefe said, questioning whether Ugandans were paying sufficient attention to what he described as deeper political developments.
The activist argued that political debates in Uganda had become heavily focused on comparisons between opposition figures and parties, including the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) and the National Unity Platform (NUP).
He also referenced ongoing debates surrounding opposition figures Kizza Besigye, Bobi Wine and Ssemujju Nganda, saying such comparisons could distract Ugandans from what he considers the country's fundamental political challenge.
According to Kifefe, his own political focus has changed significantly over the past three years following advice he said he received from Besigye to concentrate on one political front rather than two.
He maintained that Uganda's central problem was what he termed “family rule”, an issue he attributed to Besigye's longstanding political analysis of Museveni's administration.
Kifefe further urged Ugandans to look beyond immediate political disagreements and consider what he described as the consolidation of political power.
His comments came after Museveni publicly celebrated Ruhamya's graduation and described army service as providing young Ugandans with a good foundation.
Kifefe speculated about the young officer's future, saying Ugandans should not be surprised if Ruhamya eventually rises to the rank of general.
“Don't be surprised if this grandson of Gen. Museveni, Ruhamya is a General in the next four years,” he said.
He also recalled Besigye's description of Museveni as a “strategic thinker”, arguing that the President's message congratulating the two officers could be viewed within a broader political context.
Kifefe concluded by calling on Ugandans to move beyond political excitement and personal attacks and instead engage in longer-term discussions about the country's future.
His remarks represent his interpretation of the photograph and Museveni's message; they do not establish that Ruhamya has been earmarked for a senior military or political position.