Uganda’s General Muhoozi Kainerugaba leaves X to focus on his military role
General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, son of Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni, has quit X (formerly Twitter), where he became known for sharing controversial messages. His posts often stirred debate, leading to criticism and raising concerns about his future political ambitions. Many Ugandans have speculated that the 50-year-old general could be preparing to succeed his father, who has led the country since 1986. BBC News highlighted that his tweets sometimes broke military rules, as serving soldiers are expected to stay out of politics.
In his final post, General Muhoozi explained that his decision to leave was motivated by his renewed commitment to military duties. He promised to return someday and thanked his one million followers for their support since he joined the platform in 2014. The general also mentioned that his faith in Jesus Christ guided his decision to step back from social media, adding that he would now focus on promoting peace and security in the region.
BBC reported that this isn’t the first time General Muhoozi has deactivated his account—he briefly left X in 2022 after another controversial post. His latest departure follows backlash over a recent tweet in which he joked about “cutting off the head” of opposition leader Bobi Wine. Though Muhoozi later apologized, calling it a joke, Bobi Wine said he couldn’t take such threats lightly.
BBC also noted that Muhoozi’s previous tweets had angered neighboring countries. In 2022, he caused an uproar by talking about invading Kenya, prompting President Museveni to apologize. Additionally, he stirred international controversy by supporting Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and siding with Tigray in Ethiopia’s civil war.
Despite the backlash, President Museveni continues to defend his son, calling him “a very good general.” The army also emphasized that Muhoozi has a constitutional right to express his views. BBC further reported that critics have accused Muhoozi of using social media to build political support. He has been organizing rallies and mobilizing followers, which has fueled speculation about his political future.
In his farewell message, Muhoozi urged his followers to keep supporting his father, whom he praised as “the greatest general of the resistance.”
Although Museveni denies grooming his son for the presidency, many Ugandans still believe Muhoozi is being positioned as his successor. Local media have dubbed his rise to prominence the “Muhoozi Project.”
Muhoozi joined the Ugandan army in 1999 and quickly rose through the ranks. His rapid ascent and public appearances have sparked mixed reactions in Uganda, with some viewing him as a future leader and others criticizing his conduct on social media.
In his parting words, Muhoozi assured his followers, “I know you all love me, and you will continue to follow me like the wind, long after I leave here.”
This development, reported by BBC, has once again highlighted the uneasy mix of politics, military influence, and social media in Uganda’s political landscape.
Credit : BBC
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cz9ewnlqzy4o