Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has defended his use of social media in response to accusations that his public posts are unprofessional. The general, who serves as Senior Presidential Advisor on Special Operations (SPA/SO), addressed the criticism on October 4, dismissing claims that his online activity is at odds with his official duties.
General Muhoozi explained that for the first two decades of his military career, he refrained from posting anything on social media. He only started using platforms like X (formerly Twitter) regularly about seven years ago, after being appointed as SPA/SO. In his view, social media is an essential tool in fulfilling his role. He emphasized that his commentary on social, political, and economic matters is directly related to his official responsibilities as SPA/SO.
The general clarified that his position requires him to engage with such issues publicly, and social media allows him to do that effectively. He argued that not commenting on these matters would mean neglecting his duties. “It is absolutely professional for me to post all the time,” Muhoozi asserted, further stating that if his role were taken from him by President Museveni, the appointing authority, he would no longer use the platform.
Muhoozi’s online presence has drawn both support and criticism. One of his followers, State Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Balaam Barugahara, defended the general, stating that using social media is a strategic decision for public engagement. Barugahara noted that in today’s digital age, leaders must adapt to new communication methods to stay connected with the public.
The minister added that Muhoozi’s posts ensure transparency and accountability in his role, especially in the current digital era. He believes that the general’s decision to leverage social media is a deliberate choice aimed at reaching a broader audience and effectively fulfilling his duties as SPA/SO.
The Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU), a group of Muhoozi’s supporters, has also come to his defense. They argue that those who criticize the general for commenting on political issues are not in touch with Uganda’s political reality. PLU members maintain that Muhoozi’s posts, which often focus on pan-Africanism and the National Resistance Movement (NRM) ideology, are intended to engage with the youth and address issues like corruption and the misuse of government resources.
In one of his more recent posts, Muhoozi directed criticism at U.S. Ambassador to Uganda, William Popp. The general accused Popp of undermining Uganda’s government and President Yoweri Museveni. He warned that Uganda might face a confrontation with the U.S. envoy if the ambassador does not personally apologize to the president for his “undiplomatic behavior.”
Muhoozi’s remarks have sparked discussions on social media, with mixed reactions from the public. Some, like opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi (Bobi Wine), welcomed recent U.S. sanctions on Ugandan security officials involved in alleged human rights violations. Kyagulanyi described the sanctions as a reminder that justice will eventually prevail.
Others, however, disagreed with this stance. A commenter named Peter Nkosi responded to Kyagulanyi’s support for the sanctions, arguing that celebrating foreign interference undermines Uganda’s sovereignty and the spirit of pan Africanism. He emphasized the need to address human rights issues internally rather than relying on external forces for justice.
The U.S. Department of State recently imposed sanctions on four senior police officers, barring them and their families from traveling to the United States. These officers, including Bob Kagarura, Alex Mwine, Elly Womanya, and Hamdani Twesigye, were sanctioned for their alleged involvement in the mistreatment of opposition MP Francis Zaake during the 2021 general elections.
This incident has added tension to the already strained relations between Uganda and the U.S., with Muhoozi’s public remarks about the ambassador further fueling the debate. While some Ugandans support the general’s stance, others believe that the issue should be handled diplomatically to avoid escalating the situation.
