Museveni’s Erratic Son: A Foreboding of a Volatile Uganda

When General Muhoozi Kainerugaba made social media posts objectifying women or promoting his ethnic superiority, he was largely dismissed as a joke. However, when the 50-year-old son of Yoweri Museveni—Uganda’s, and one of Africa’s, longest-serving rulers—began expressing support for the M23 rebels in the DRC and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), the seriousness of his position became apparent. As the then-Commander of Uganda’s Land Forces, his comments started to pose real risks to Uganda’s diplomatic relations within the region. While he later backtracked, praising the Ethiopian President’s handling of the conflict, his statements had already stirred controversy. Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have implicated Ethiopian forces in ethnic cleansing and war crimes, and the U.S. government has noted the complicity of all parties involved. Only Museveni’s son seemed unaware that his reckless words were not only counterproductive to peace but could potentially exacerbate the conflict.

General. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, President Museveni’s son.

Things took a drastic turn when Muhoozi tweeted that he could capture Nairobi in two weeks. Criticizing former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta for stepping down after two terms, he stated:

“My only problem with my beloved big brother is that he didn’t stand for a third term. We would have won easily!”

In a subsequent tweet, he added:

“It wouldn’t take us, my army and me, 2 weeks to capture (Kenya’s capital) Nairobi.”

These remarks ignited outrage in both countries, resulting in a diplomatic crisis. Museveni issued an apology to Kenya and relieved Muhoozi of his position as Commander of Land Forces—yet paradoxically promoted him in rank. In a further act of defiance, Museveni appointed him Commander of the Army months later, a blatant affront to critics of Muhoozi’s erratic behavior.

More recently, Muhoozi took to X (formerly Twitter) to criticize the American Ambassador to Uganda, audaciously declaring him persona non grata and demanding he leave the country within three days, though no clear reasons were provided. He tweeted on October 4th:

“Fellow Ugandans, it is my solemn duty to announce to you all that we as a nation are about to have a serious confrontation with the current USA Ambassador to our country. For disrespecting our beloved and celebrated President and for undermining the Constitution of Uganda.”

For observers unfamiliar with Uganda’s political landscape or the laws governing public servants, these statements may seem like the incoherent ramblings of an influential but irresponsible public figure. However, under Ugandan law, such remarks are not only inappropriate but illegal let alone when made by a serving army officer who is also the son of the President. The Constitution of Uganda and the Uganda People Defence Forces Act mandate that serving officers remain non-partisan, professional, disciplined, and subordinate to civilian authority.

Ironically, other high-ranking officers have faced severe punishment for much less. In 2005, General Henry Tumukunde, a comrade of Museveni from his bush war days, was arrested and court-martialed for opposing the lifting of presidential term limits. Similarly, in 2013, General David Tinyefuza (now Sejusa) was exiled after making public statements about Museveni’s alleged vote-rigging and the rise of Muhoozi within the army—what has since come to be known as the ‘Muhoozi Project.’ He faced charges of participating in partisan political activities and insubordination.

Muhoozi’s unchecked behavior—including his formation of a political group, the Patriotic League of Uganda, inflammatory statements against foreign diplomats, threats of war against a neighboring country, and rhetoric inciting ethnic division—indicates tacit condonation from his father. The fact that he remains unpunished while engaging in political posturing and potentially destabilizing Uganda’s regional relationships underscores Museveni’s complicity.

Muhoozi’s presence in Uganda’s political landscape does not bode well for a country already struggling under nearly 40 years of Museveni’s misrule. With significant opposition among ordinary Ugandans and senior military officers alike, the future looks increasingly volatile—more so than even Muhoozi’s tweets.

He is an erratic and inept son of a dictator, and his social media outbursts are a harbinger of what may lie ahead for Uganda: a dangerous environment for political dissent under the seemingly imminent Museveni-Muhoozi dynasty.

Now more than ever, joint efforts are pertinent to ensure that Uganda does not descend into the turmoil foreshadowed by the reckless actions of Museveni and his son.

Written by: Alex Martin Musiime, a lawyer from Uganda.