Muhoozi Kainerugaba Quits X Amid Rising Political Controversies

Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the son of Uganda’s long-serving President Yoweri Museveni, has announced that he is quitting the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), where his provocative posts have stirred significant controversy. The 50-year-old army general, who has increasingly ventured into politics, has been accused of breaching military protocols, further fueling speculation about his ambitions to succeed his father, who has been in power since 1986.

Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s last post on Friday stated that he would be stepping away from social media to focus on his military duties. He assured his one million followers that he would “re-converge” with them in the future, signaling a potential return at some point.

This is not the first time general Muhoozi Kainerugaba has deactivated his X account. In 2022, he briefly quit the platform before returning just days later. His social media presence has long drawn criticism, particularly for his controversial statements on matters deemed off-limits for a serving soldier.

Uganda’s controversial tweeting general Muhoozi Kainerugaba quits X

Notably, Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s remarks have sparked outrage both at home and abroad. In 2022, he made headlines when he suggested an invasion of neighboring Kenya, prompting his father, President Museveni, to intervene and issue a public apology. More recently, Kainerugaba provoked widespread condemnation with a tweet in which he threatened to “behead” Uganda’s leading opposition figure, Bobi Wine (Robert Kyagulanyi). Although the general later apologized for the post, calling it a “joke,” Bobi Wine dismissed the comment as a serious threat.

The Ugandan government sought to downplay the incident, with a spokesperson describing Kainerugaba’s remarks as “casual” and not reflecting official policy. However, the general’s inflammatory rhetoric has raised concerns beyond Uganda, particularly regarding his previous comments in support of Russia in the Ukraine conflict and his stance on the Ethiopian civil war, where he expressed solidarity with the Tigray forces.

Despite the controversy surrounding his social media activity, Kainerugaba has maintained his position within the Ugandan military, with President Museveni defending him as a “very good general.” The Ugandan military has also emphasized Kainerugaba’s constitutional right to freedom of expression.

In his farewell message, Kainerugaba cited his faith as the reason behind his decision to leave social media. “It is on the instructions and blessings of my Lord Jesus Christ that I leave this platform and dedicate myself to my mission of bringing peace and security to our region,” he wrote. He also expressed gratitude to his followers, saying it had been an “incredible journey” since he first joined X in 2014.

The general concluded by encouraging his supporters to continue backing his father, whom he called “the greatest general of the resistance.” Although Kainerugaba has been actively rallying support across Uganda, his rise has sparked a wider conversation about potential dynastic succession. However, President Museveni has repeatedly denied claims that he is grooming his son for the presidency.

Since joining the army in 1999, Kainerugaba has quickly ascended the ranks, with local media dubbing his rise the “Muhoozi Project.” Despite ongoing speculation, the general’s political future remains uncertain, as his departure from X marks a significant shift in his public persona. “I know you all love me,” he said in his sign-off, “and that you will continue to follow me like the wind long after this.”

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