Museveni sacks Premier
September 19, 2014
A Ugandan government spokesman named the long-serving Health Minister Ruhakana Rugunda as replacement Premier on Friday, saying the shake-up in cabinet only affected his predecessor.
Mbabazi (pictured) also holds the post of Secretary General of Uganda's ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM). He had been widely viewed as "king-maker of Museveni's administration.
In a letter to parliament, Museveni succinctly thanked Mbabazi for "the contribution he has made to his country" but gave no further explanation for Friday's sacking.
Intentions not yet declared
Mbabazi has not said if he will run in 2016. In February, NRM parliamentarians passed a resolution saying Museveni, who's been in power for nearly 30 years, should be the party's sole presidential candidate.
Rights lawyer and analyst Nicholas Opio said Museveni was "testing" Mbabazi to see whether he would reconcile himself with being a "mere Secretary General" or declare a bid for the presidency.
Speculation also focuses on Museveni's son, special forces commander Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who has been tipped as a possible future successor.
ipj/ksb (Reuters, AP, AFP)