Muhoozi Promoted To Full General From Army Commander

UPDATE: President Yoweri Museveni’s son, Lt. General Muhoozi Kainerugaba has been dropped as Commander of the Uganda People's Defence Forces Land Forces. 

Muhoozi was promoted to full General, vacating his lower post immediately, according to multiple Ugandan media houses.

Maj Gen Kayanja Muhanga, the current commander of Operation Shujaa in the Democratic Republic of Congo, was promoted to Lieutenant General and named the new UPDF Commander of Land Forces, succeeding Muhoozi. 

The Ugandan government has distanced itself from remarks made by President Yoweri Museveni’s son, Lt. General Muhoozi Kainerugaba on Twitter, which threatened diplomatic ties between Kenya and Uganda.

Its Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated on Tuesday, October 4 that it took note of the debate his remarks generated on social media with respect to the relationship between the two countries.

It emphasized that the Government and the people of the Republic of Uganda treasure the existing strong bilateral relations between the two countries and that Uganda was committed to maintaining its good relationship with Kenya.

Lieutenant General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, son of Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni. /FILE

"The Ministry wishes to emphasize that the Government and the people of the Republic of Uganda treasure the existing strong bilateral relations between the people and the government of the Republic of Kenya based on our shared history, common values, mutual respect, trust and the desire to build a unified East African Community," read part of the statement.

For the purposes of peaceful co-existence and cooperation, the Ministry noted that the Ugandan government does not conduct its official business on social media.

In addition, Uganda does not depend on social media sources in dealing with other foreign governments.

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to clarify that the Government of the Republic of Uganda does not conduct its Foreign Policy and other official business through social media nor does it depend on social media sources in dealing with other sovereign Governments," it added.

The government reiterated its cordial relationship with the Republic of Kenya and assured Kenyans and its government of its harmonious relationship and value.

The statement comes hours after President William Ruto's cabinet secretary nominee for Foreign Affairs, Alfred Mutua met with Uganda's ambassador to Kenya Hassan Wasswa Galiwango over a cup of tea.

Mutua on Tuesday, October 4 however did not divulge any more details of the meeting, coming a few hours after Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the son of Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni retracted remarks he made about Kenya, which drew uproar across the East African region.

"This morning I shared a social cup of tea with Amb. Dr Hassan Galiwango - Uganda High Commissioner to Kenya. We discussed interesting matters. Mambo iko Sawa (everything is fine)," Mutua shared.

Muhoozi on his part claimed that he had discussions with his father over the frightening nature of his tweets.

"Had a good discussion with my father this morning. Apparently, my tweets scared Kenyans too much. He will announce the changes. There is a special prayer I shall make for our army." 

Muhoozi forgave Kenyans On Twitter (KOT) who responded to his reckless remarks with spirited attacks, including a section of politicians.

As a consequence, he changed his tune by stating that Kenyans were like his brothers and called for unity between Kenya and Uganda. This is after his comments smelt of an embarrassing diplomatic showdown between the two countries.

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

He then tore into Kenya's democracy and military capability by daringly stating that his army would capture the city of Nairobi in two weeks.