Gen Muhoozi's Visit to Algeria Sparks Controversy, Leaving MPs with 'Clowns' to Debate

General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), is making headlines for all the wrong reasons. While he is currently in Algeria on an official visit to strengthen military ties, his refusal to appear before Uganda’s Parliamentary Committee on Defence and Internal Affairs has caused a big uproar back home.

Gen Muhoozi arrived in Algeria on Monday to meet General Said Chanegriha, the Algerian Minister Delegate to the Minister of National Defence. The aim of the visit is to explore ways to improve military cooperation between the two countries, focusing on areas like joint training, regional security, and sharing intelligence. He is accompanied by a group of senior Ugandan officers, including Maj Gen James Birungi and Maj Gen Bob Ogiki. While this trip is being presented as a crucial step for Uganda’s defence strategy, it has been overshadowed by recent events in Uganda.

The trouble began when Gen Muhoozi refused to attend a parliamentary meeting after being summoned to explain some controversial posts he made on social media. In these posts, he allegedly threatened opposition leaders like Robert Kyagulanyi and Dr Kizza Besigye. Instead of addressing these concerns, Gen Muhoozi called the committee members “clowns” on his social media account, which sparked outrage among many Ugandans.

Betty Nambooze, a member of the committee, was particularly outspoken about the situation. She accused the government of protecting Gen Muhoozi from being held accountable and described his comments as a sign of the growing power of the executive branch in Uganda.

“Parliament has been captured,” Nambooze said. “If Muhoozi can call us clowns and ignore our summons without facing any consequences, what does that say about our democracy?” She also pointed fingers at President Museveni’s administration for allowing this culture of impunity to thrive, arguing that it weakens governance and accountability in Uganda.

Nambooze noted that a meeting scheduled for Monday was suddenly cancelled without any explanation—something she believes shows how much influence Gen Muhoozi holds. For her and many others, this incident highlights how executive power is undermining democratic institutions in Uganda.

While Gen Muhoozi’s trip to Algeria could be seen as an important move to strengthen Uganda’s military partnerships, it has been overshadowed by the controversy at home. His refusal to engage with parliament has led to heated discussions about respect for democratic processes and accountability among public officials. Critics argue that such behaviour sets a worrying precedent, especially from someone in such a high position.

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