- UPDF Chief Muhoozi Kainerugaba has apologized to the United States after a series of Twitter messages accusing Washington of helping opposition leader Bobi Wine escape.
- He had previously warned about cutting ties and suspending cooperation, including with Somalia, over the alleged involvement of the US embassy.
- Muhoozi later retracted his claims, admitting that he acted on false information and ensuring continued military cooperation with the United States.
Chief of the Civil Defense Force Uganda (UPDF) Muhoozi Kainerugaba has apologized to the United States after ranting online about the whereabouts of opposition leader Bobi Wine.
Source: Twitter
In a series of Twitter messages, some of which he deleted, Muhoozi had accused the United States of helping Bobi leave the country after several days of hiding following the Ugandan presidential election.
Why did General Muhoozi warn the US?
The UPDF chief warned that Uganda would sever ties with foreign missions that could assist in the ‘escape’ of Bobi, who he said was needed, dead or alive.
“I will say this just once. Any foreign countries trying to smuggle Kabobi out of the country will cause a big rift in relations!” he asked.
Muhoozi claimed that the US embassy was complicit in Bobi’s alleged kidnapping, suggesting that the aim was to paint Uganda in a bad light internationally.
He announced the suspension of cooperation with the current administration at the US Embassy in Kampala.
Muhoozi also condemned the US envoy to Uganda for allegedly sabotaging the UPDF’s efforts to restore peace in Somalia, announcing that cooperation in the terror-stricken country would cease immediately.
Why Muhoozi apologized to the United States
But apparently, after reminding himself, Muhoozi stopped using his Twitter, claiming he acted on false information.
He contacted the US ambassador in Kampala and processed his apology, noting that all concerns had been addressed.
“I want to apologize to our great friends, the United States, for my previous Twitter posts which I have now deleted. I was being given wrong information. I have spoken to the American Ambassador in our country, and everything is fine. We will continue our military cooperation as usual,” Muhoozi said.
Muhoozi has been causing violence on social media, issuing threats against Bobi, who opposed the election of President Yoweri Museveni for his 7th term.
Bobi, who ran for the presidency on the NUP ticket in his second attempt, noted that the January 15 presidential vote was marred by electoral malpractices, which the Electoral Commission in Kampala agreed to favor Museveni.
Source: Twitter
During the election, Bobi’s house was raided by alleged government security operatives, who detained his wife as she went into hiding.
He has never come out of hiding since then.
The US response to the Ugandan election
Events in Uganda attracted the attention of lawmakers in the United States.
Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Cory Booker urged Washington to take action against Ugandan officials accused of suppressing civil rights during the recent elections.
They criticized the vote as undemocratic, citing harassment of journalists, arrests of opposition leaders, and harsh repression of protesters.
The senators condemned the shutdown of the Internet, the arrest of Kizza Besigye, and the threats against Robert Kyagulanyi, emphasizing Uganda’s responsibility to maintain democracy, transparency, and human rights, while asking President Trump to hold those who violate the law accountable.
Read ENGLISH VERSION
Do you have an exciting story that you would like us to publish? Please contact us via news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
