Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the son of Uganda’s long-serving President Yoweri Museveni and the Chief of Uganda’s Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF), set social media ablaze on Saturday, August 24, 2024, with a series of provocative posts on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.
His comments, ranging from political declarations to outlandish claims, have once again drawn attention to the controversial figure who has been increasingly vocal about his ambitions.
In a particularly striking post, Kainerugaba asserted his intent to ascend to the Ugandan presidency, warning that those who doubt his aspirations would face repercussions.
“When I become President of this beautiful country, anyone who doubts it will be in trouble!” he wrote, in a statement that has since sparked significant debate and concern among Ugandans and international observers alike.
Kainerugaba did not stop there.
In another post, he issued a decree to his supporters, urging them to always honour his father, President Museveni, whom he hailed as the greatest President in Africa.
He instructed his followers to display his portrait alongside that of his father, an order that underscores the tight-knit power dynamic within Uganda’s first family.
“This is a decree to all my supporters and followers! From now on until the end of time, whenever you put up my portrait, you must also acknowledge my father. The greatest President in Africa,” Kainerugaba wrote, further solidifying his father’s continued influence in Uganda’s political landscape.
In a string of subsequent posts, Kainerugaba made additional, and at times perplexing, remarks.
He proposed a fitness challenge for high-ranking militàry officials across Africa, both local and foreign, warning that those who fail to participate should be looked for. The proposal has left many questioning his intentions and the seriousness of such an initiative.
“Maj.General BD is challenging a lot of us on fitness. I thank him. I’m going to call a small fitness test for ALL generals and colonels ( local and foreign) in the capital city area soon. Those who don’t appear should be looked for,” he wrote.
However, it was his final claim that truly left social media users and political analysts puzzled.
Kainerugaba declared that Jesus Christ is Ugandan and resides near Mbarara, a city in western Uganda.
“Jesus Christ, the King of kings, is a Ugandan! He lives near Mbarara. When the world understands that, they’ll find peace,” he wrote, a statement that has been met with both ridicule and disbelief.
Diplomatic tiff
Kainerugaba’s penchant for making controversial and sometimes inflammatory statements on social media is not new.
His tweets have previously caused diplomatic tensions, most notably when he claimed that he could capture Kenya’s capital Nairobi within two weeks if he chose to invade.
The incident prompted President Museveni to issue an apology to Kenya and to promise tighter control over his son’s social media activity.
“He will leave Twitter. We have had this discussion. Twitter is not a problem; the problem is what you are tweeting about,” President Museveni said at the time, signalling his concern over the potential fallout from his son’s online presence.
Kainerugaba’s latest outbursts have renewed questions about his future role in Ugandan politics and the possibility of him succeeding his father, who has ruled Uganda since 1986.
While his comments may resonate with a segment of the population, they also raise concerns about the direction in which the country’s leadership may be heading.
As Uganda and the world watch Kainerugaba’s next moves, the consequences of his increasingly assertive and unpredictable public persona remain to be seen.