Who'd take over power if Museveni retired now? - RDC asks youth

She was addressing youth leaders from Rwampara on Saturday evening at Mweya Safari Logde in Kasese District where she took them for a retreat. According to Asiimwe, President Museveni, who has ruled for 36 years, cannot be cut off clean from the country that he has essentially raised.

“Time will come and Mzee will go. He will naturally go, but where does he leave us? You can’t wake up in the morning and ask him to leave. This is like a family where you don’t just ask the father to leave home. He doesn’t just leave because he has been asked to. We still need him beyond 2026," she said.

She wasJane Asiimwe Muhindo addressing youth leaders at Mweya Safari Logde in Kasese District where she took them for a retreat on Saturday November 26, 2022. Pulse

She asked them to be patient with the process that will simultaneaously take Museveni out of power, and give them space and time to grow into able leaders who will fill his shoes.

“The President is preparing the next generation to take over and he needs some time. That’s why we are saying he should still be here. It is a must he will go, but it is a process. This isn’t something that you wake up one day and get into. All we need is patience from you because whether you like it all not, you are the next generation and automatically you will come into leadership,” she added.

Asiimwe said about the retreat that she was doing her duty to foster appreciation of the ruling party in the youth, "mzee has brought us this far, we cannot lose patience. Let us support our team leader and wait for the final whistle."

In staggering contrast to the RDC's message, Rwampara District Youth Council Chairperson, Brian Muhimnura said that for all his time in charge, President Museveni should have mentored someone in preparation to handover.

“We love President Museveni, but he should have mentored someone by now and we at least see someone different. As we move towards 2026 elections, he should present someone he has mentored to take over. By 2025, we should see someone new. President Museveni can then serve as NRM party chairperson as he continues to mentor his successor," he said.

The Rwampara District Youth Council member, Emmanuel Fokushaba, said that if the youth continue to be sidelined in government programs, they risk being misled with false hope. That more involvement would give them hope for the future.