Museveni's Son's Comments Threaten Diplomatic Kenya, Uganda Clash

Muhoozi insinuated that Uhuru should have had a third term in office and would have whitewashed Ruto in the polls as well as former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

Marvin Chege Marvin Chege
Oct 3, 2022 - 14:38 Updated: Oct 3, 2022 - 14:38
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Museveni's Son's Comments Threaten Diplomatic Kenya, Uganda Clash
Lieutenant General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, son of Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni. /FILE

Lieutenant General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, son of Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni, has come under heated criticism after his latest sentiments ignited the likelihood of a diplomatic clash between Kenya and Uganda.

Muhoozi was reacting to President Uhuru Kenyatta bowing out of office and paving way for his former junior, President William Ruto, to rise to the top seat at State House during the August 9 general elections.

On Monday, October 3, Muhoozi insinuated that Uhuru should have had a third term in office and would have whitewashed Ruto in the polls as well as former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

Former President Uhuru Kenyatta and commander Muhoozi Kainerugaba. /TWITTER.MUHOOZI

The commander of the land forces of the Uganda People's Defence Force -UPDF then revealed that revolution is applicable in Uganda as compared to being the rule of law in the Kenyan Constitution.

"My only problem with my beloved big brother is that he didn't stand for a third term. We would have won easily," Muhoozi stated.

"Love my Kenyan relatives. Constitution? Rule of law? You must be joking! For us, there is only the Revolution and you will soon learn about it!" 

His sentiments however sparked an online war, with many Kenyans fiercely descending on Muhoozi with the fact that Kenya is guided by the rule of law where the president can only vie for two terms.

"Kenya is a country with a high level of democracy. They don't easily tamper with the constitution for the betterment of their people. Hope my message reaches home," Kevin Gogo, a social media user, schooled Muhoozi.

"Kenya and Uganda are brothers! The most important political question in East Africa is 'How soon do we unite?" he posed to him in response.

Other Kenyans accused him of making matters worse by a subsequent tweet threatening to cut diplomatic ties between Presidents Museveni and Ruto.

"It wouldn't take us, my army and me, 2 weeks to capture Nairobi," Lieutenant General Muhoozi stated.

Joining Kenyans in reprimanding Muhoozi was a Ugandan journalist, Michael Wandati, who praised Kenya's superiority in terms of military power and economic capability as well as its welcoming atmosphere.

Kenya is ranked way ahead of Uganda both in terms of weaponry, military training and economic muscle. However, Kenya welcomes good neighbourliness and cooperation.

"We shall, however, never entertain or tolerate anybody laying threats over our country, be they friend or a foe," he wrote. Museveni was among the 40 heads of state who attended Ruto's inauguration at Kasarani on Tuesday, September 13.

The relationship between the two, which had started raising eyebrows, forced Museveni late in August to announce that his government would not take sides in the August elections.

William Ruto with Ugandan president, Yoweri Museveni. /FILE

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