The son of Uganda’s long-serving leader Yoweri Museveni said on Saturday he had abandoned plans to run for presidency at the next election in 2026, urging his supporters to endorse his father instead.

President Museveni, who has led the country for 38 years, is widely expected to run for re-election even though he has not yet confirmed his candidacy.

“I would like to announce that I will not be on the ballot paper in 2026,” said Muhoozi Kainerugaba in a post on social media platform X, formerly Twitter.

Gen Muhoozi came under searing attack at home and in neighbouring for coveting his father’s seat when he started youth to back him to run for the top position. In the recent past, the army general dismissed possibility of the East African nation even being led by a civilian in a statement posted on X.

Members of President Museveni’s capital have equally been incensed by the president’s son, whom the accuse of abuse of office through interference with ministry budgets. On a number of occasions the military boss has directed ministers to reallocate the army funds, which he himself has access to. The president, despite being aware of the son’s dictatorial conduct has never raised a finger to check him.

“I fully endorse President Yoweri Museveni in the next elections,” he said, urging his supporters to back his father for a seventh term.

Kainerugaba, currently the head of the country’s military, is widely expected to eventually become his father’s chosen successor but is also known for making controversial comments. Museveni apologised to Kenya in 2022 after his son threatened on Twitter to invade the neighbouring country.

Uganda’s opposition has long accused Museveni of seeking to impose a monarchy on Uganda –a claim the president denies.

Museveni, 80, has ruled Uganda since 1986 and has changed the constitution twice to extend his rule.

Human rights activists and his political opponents including pop star turned politician Bobi Wine have long accused Museveni of using security forces to jail, intimidate or torture opposition supporters. Museveni denies such accusations.

Wine came second at the last presidential election in 2021. He rejected the results, alleging ballot stuffing, intimidation and abductions of his supporters.

Museveni called it Uganda’s fairest ever vote.

• A Tell / Reuters report