Apologize or leave Uganda, Gen Muhoozi tells US ambassador in escalating row

Uganda’s first son and miliary chief Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba has told America’s ambassador William Popp to apologize to veteran President Museveni or depart the East African country, escalating diplomatic tensions between the countries.

In an earlier post on X, Gen Muhoozi cited “disrespecting our beloved and celebrated president and undermining the constitution of Uganda” as the reason behind the move.

“If this current US ambassador does not apologize to mzee (Museveni) personally by Monday morning (9.00am) for his undiplomatic behaviour in our country, we will demand he leaves Uganda,” he said on Friday. 

The first son appeared to suggest that the US has been acting against the long-term ruling government, which shot to power in 1986. 

“We have no problem with the USA. As I have said many times, it is a country we love and admire. But lately we have a lot of evidence that they have been working against the NRM government,” Gen Muhoozi explained.

By press time, the US was yet to respond to Gen Muhoozi’s controversial posts coming barely a week after the US sanctioned four officers in Uganda’s armed forces.

On October 2, the US Department of State said it was “taking action against police officials Bob Kagarura, Alex Mwine, Elly Womanya and Hamdani Twesigye due to their involvement in gross violations of human rights.”

The US had previously designated several high-profile Ugandan officials including former deputy military chief Lt Gen Peter Elwelu, parliament speaker Anita Among and minister Amos Lugoloobi.

Museveni accepted Popp's credentials in September 2023, confirming him as US' diplomatic representative to Uganda.