Uganda’s controversial tweeting general quits X
3 min read
Uganda's Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and President Museveni's son, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba
Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the 50-year-old son of Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni, has announced that he is quitting X (formerly Twitter), where his provocative and controversial posts have often made headlines. Kainerugaba, an army general, has been increasingly active in Uganda’s political sphere, which has raised concerns due to his breach of military conduct. His actions have ignited speculation about his ambitions to succeed his father, who has been in power since 1986.
Kainerugaba’s most recent tweet, posted on Friday, marked his departure from the platform. In the message, he stated that the time had come for him to leave social media and refocus on his military responsibilities. He assured his one million followers that he would “re-converge” with them in the future. This is not the first time the general has left the platform; in 2022, he deactivated his account, only to return days later.
Over the years, Kainerugaba has sparked controversy with numerous tweets that touched on sensitive political issues, particularly for a serving military officer. Critics have condemned his statements, which often stray from the expectations of military neutrality. One of the most notable instances occurred in 2022 when Kainerugaba made headlines for suggesting that Uganda should invade neighboring Kenya, prompting an apology from his father.
Recently, the general caused an uproar with a tweet in which he threatened to behead Uganda’s leading opposition leader, Bobi Wine (Robert Kyagulanyi). The post led to widespread condemnation both within Uganda and internationally. Although Kainerugaba later claimed the threat was a joke and issued an apology, Bobi Wine dismissed the comment, stating that he could not take such threats lightly.
The Ugandan government downplayed Kainerugaba’s controversial post, with a spokesperson calling the remarks “casual” and emphasizing that they did not reflect official policy. However, the general’s undiplomatic behavior on social media has provoked anger beyond Uganda’s borders. His past posts, which expressed support for Russia in the invasion of Ukraine and sided with Tigray in the Ethiopian civil war, further complicated matters.
Despite the backlash, President Museveni has continued to defend his son, referring to him as a “very good general” and asserting that Kainerugaba enjoys the constitutional right to express his views. The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) also backed him, affirming that his social media activity is his personal right.
In his farewell message to his followers, Kainerugaba cited his faith as the reason for his decision to leave X. He explained that it was “on the instructions and blessings of my Lord Jesus Christ” that he chose to step away from social media and focus entirely on his military duties. He expressed gratitude for his decade-long presence on the platform, reflecting on the “whirlwind and rousing journey” he had shared with his followers since joining in 2014. Kainerugaba encouraged his supporters to continue backing his father, whom he called “the greatest general of the resistance.”
As the son of Uganda’s long-serving leader, Kainerugaba has long been speculated to be positioning himself as a potential successor. However, Museveni has repeatedly denied grooming his son for the presidency. Over the years, the general has held rallies and garnered support from various sectors of the country, which has sparked criticism from some who view his actions as political maneuvering.
Kainerugaba’s rise within the military has been rapid and widely covered in the media, with some dubbing his ascent the “Muhoozi Project.” He joined the army in 1999 and has steadily climbed the ranks. His political activities and increasing visibility have prompted speculation about his future ambitions, even as his father remains in power.
In his final message on X, Kainerugaba expressed confidence that his followers would continue to support him even after his departure from the platform. “I know you all love me, and that you will continue to follow me like the wind long after here,” he said. His departure from X marks the end of a chapter in the contentious relationship between Uganda’s military and social media, but it remains to be seen what role Kainerugaba will play in the country’s political landscape in the years to come.
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