"Best Picture I Have Seen All Week" Muhoozi Vows to Promote Soldier Who Attacked Journalist Canary

Uganda’s media fraternity is up in arms after Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) General Muhoozi Kainerugaba publicly praised a soldier who attempted to assault NBS journalist Canary Mugume during the Kawempe North by-election on March 13.

Mugume took to social media to share his ordeal, stating that a masked UPDF soldier tried to strike him with a long wire as he covered the election.

“Just survived an assault in Kawempe. Masked UPDF soldiers came at me moments after one tried to beat me with a long wire before he disembarked from his motorbike. My crime? Doing my work as a journalist,” Mugume posted.

To support his claims, Mugume shared a photo of the soldier, adding,

“Took this on my phone. The guy threw the cable wire at me, moments before he disembarked from his motorbike. He missed landing it on my head, survived narrowly.”

The incident has sparked widespread condemnation from media organizations and human rights activists, who view it as yet another example of Uganda’s deteriorating press freedom.

The Uganda Journalists Association (UJA) has demanded accountability from the Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF), calling for investigations into the matter.

However, in a shocking twist, General Muhoozi took to X (formerly Twitter) to celebrate the soldier’s actions instead of condemning them.

He shared the image of the soldier, writing, “Best picture I have seen all week! I will look for this soldier and promote him.”

Muhoozi’s statement has fueled further outrage, with critics accusing him of endorsing violence against journalists.

“This is unacceptable,” said a spokesperson for Human Rights Watch Africa.

“A leader of his position should be protecting press freedom, not encouraging attacks on journalists.”

Opposition politicians have also weighed in, with Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago calling Muhoozi’s remarks a “dangerous signal” that Uganda is sliding into military repression.

“When a CDF openly supports violence against journalists, it tells you everything you need to know about the state of democracy in Uganda,” Lukwago said.

This is not the first time Muhoozi has courted controversy with his public statements.

His past social media comments have drawn criticism, including threats against neighboring countries and remarks undermining Uganda’s civilian leadership.