Akena: Muhoozi Presidential Debate Can Wait, Uganda’s Problems Cannot

What the report says

Uganda People’s Congress president Jimmy Akena is urging that national political discussion focus on poverty, hunger, malnutrition and accountability rather than on debate over who will follow President Yoweri Museveni. In comments reported by Nile Post, Akena said that questions around Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s presidential ambitions should not overshadow the immediate problems facing ordinary Ugandans, and he argued that any aspiring leader should present himself to voters through an electoral mandate.

The remarks come as calls grow for a national dialogue to ease political tension and rebuild trust among Uganda’s political actors. Akena said such a process would only be meaningful if it had clear goals and addressed the country’s core challenges, rather than serving the interests of particular political groups. He also criticized what he described as problematic conduct by the Patriotic League of Uganda, including efforts he said could influence the opposition through proposed changes to election law.

Beyond domestic politics, Akena also used recent regional travel to revive his call for stronger East African integration. According to the report, he referenced the founding vision of the East African Community and said long-discussed goals such as a shared currency, a regional airline and a political federation have not yet been realized. He said member states should move from rhetoric to practical steps, including encouraging trade, shared identity and teaching regional integration in schools.