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CDF Muhoozi's posts cause for concern - Ofwono Opondo

Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and First Son, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba

What you need to know:

  • Both the Sudan and the DR Congo governments have since sent to Uganda protest notes demanding explanation and apology for Gen Muhoozi's statements on his X social media account, formerly Twitter, which he has since deleted.
  • In the past, he has rattled Kenya, Ethiopia and Egypt. On all occasions, Uganda distanced itself from his comments.

Government spokesperson, Ofwono Opondo has joined a growing list of Ugandan senior officials and politicians to condemn the country’s Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and First Son, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba for his erratic social media posts that have since stirred diplomatic row.

“Nowhere in the world have we seen the CDF, Inspector General of Police, or Chief of Intelligence Services doing this sort of thing. It is a cause for concern. I hope my young brother, the CDF, is listening and taking this seriously—that he needs to step back on his methods of communication. Because not everyone will state this publicly, but they are concerned, and that’s why you see them dodging, because he is putting them in a difficult situation. It’s a difficult situation, yes, but it needs to be confronted," said Mr Opondo on Saturday.

The executive director of Uganda Media Centre’s comment while appearing on a political talk show on Capital FM in Kampala comes barely two days after Sudan and DRC slammed President Museveni’s 50-year-old son over his “irresponsible” remarks which Mr Baryomunsi described to journalists as mere social media banter.

 Erratic posts 

Using his X platform, Gen Muhoozi posted statements warning that he would attack White foreign armed nationals working in Eastern DR Congo by January 2025.
There are several armed personnel of White race operating in Eastern DRC under the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission, Southern African Development Community (SADC) and Romanian mercenaries attached to the DRC military. The forces allied to the DRC government are fighting M23 rebels that the United Nations say are backed by Rwanda and Uganda, an allegation both countries deny.

M23 rebels have seized a huge territory in Eastern DRC, but they have failed to capture Goma City and Sake Township following the deployment of the UN, SADC and Romanian mercenaries a year ago. The UN and SADC declared an attack on Sako Townchin or a red line for the M23 rebels.
In another post, Gen Muhoozi also claimed that he would work with US president-elect Donald Trump to capture Khartoum, the capital city of Sudan. The Sudan Armed Forces are currently battling Rapid Support Forces for the control of Khartoum.


Both the Sudan and the DR Congo governments have since sent to Uganda protest notes demanding explanation and apology for Gen Muhoozi's statements on his X social media account, formerly Twitter, which he has since deleted.
Uganda's Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that they have seen the protest notes from the DR Congo and Sudan, and they would respond to them.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Mr Vincent Bagiire, confirmed that they have seen the protest notes from the two countries.
"We have seen the protests, and we shall respond," Mr Bagiire said. 

Social media banter?
Although Mr Baryomunsi had urged the public and the affected countries to treat the former commander Special Forces Command (SFC)’s posts as mere banter, Mr Opondo said Gen Muhoozi occupies a very sensitive position in the country and therefore, should not be making casual remarks.
“I haven’t had time to confer with Hon. Baryomunsi, but I think the X (formerly known as Twitter) handle of Gen Muhoozi specifically states that this is the official Twitter handle of the CDF, so you cannot say we treat it casually. For that matter, I disagree with my minister,” Mr Opondo added during the talk show. 

Previous incidents 
Muhoozi has previously made similar remarks on other countries, which have often been seen as personal rather than a policy stance of Uganda.
In the past, he has rattled Kenya, Ethiopia and Egypt. On all occasions, Uganda distanced itself from his comments.
For Sudan, however, whether a joke or not, the country 's 20-month war between the Sudan Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces has meant any signs of conflict are read only within those lines.

The Sudanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the international community should “make noise” about the comments of the Ugandan military chief.
Sudan is suspended as a member of the African Union because the military toppled a civilian-led government in October 2021. In April 2023, the war erupted and Sudan suspended itself from the regional bloc, Intergovernmental Authority on Development.