Uganda : General Muhoozi Kainerugaba prefers Butabika rather than the ICC

Determined to please his maternal uncle, Rwandan President Paul Kagame on the aggression of the Democratic Republic of Congo, the son of the Ugandan President, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba has been in disarray again since last Saturday February 15 on X (Twitter). 

There in Kampala, several Ugandans are asking a thousand and one questions about his real state of health. A good number of Ugandans want his father, President Yoweri Museveni, to entrust him to the hands of specialist doctors at the Butabika National Mental Health Reference Hospital for intensive and, above all, appropriate care. Because, more and more, he is setting himself up as an enemy of peace between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Within the army, they oppose the staff in charge of operations with the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) against the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF). He thinks he knows everything.

He estimates that in three years, the command of the Ugandan army in the east of the DRC, precisely in the province of Ituri, has not been tracking down the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) alongside the Congolese army within the “Shujaa” operation. He thinks he is the general officer needed to better lead these operations. “General Muhoozi, daddy's boy and nephew of his uncle Paul, underestimates us a lot, forgetting that the objective of our coalition with the FARDC is to neutralize this armed group, now affiliated with the Islamic State, which has been carrying out bloody attacks between our two countries for ten years and killing peaceful citizens, while his family lives in peace and enjoys the riches of Uganda. Let him manage his neurons well,” said one of the Ugandan generals currently in Kasindi (DRC-Uganda border).

To continue: “In three years, progress has been made. But our country, Uganda, is accused by UN experts of providing support to the M23 rebels and is suspected of having hidden intentions. This is possible with the son of the Supreme Commander of our army who is the biological nephew of Rwandan President Paul Kagame. With his uncle, they covet the riches of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Something we do not accept. Naturally, the Congolese have not harmed us since the creation of our country, Uganda. We have communities and families on both sides. Why must we harm them for petty interests for the benefit of their families and Westerners.”

Is Kampala playing a double game?

The silence of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni is very poorly received within the Ugandan army (Uganda People's Defense Force: in English UPDF) and within our political class. “We wonder if he even understands the actions of his son Muhoozi Kainerugaba and his brother-in-law Paul Kagame. How long will our sub-region be insecure? Is he aware of the discord that his son maintains within our army? We, who are stationed here in the DRC, are waiting for him to attack the FARDC and his fate will be known, and we will see by which axis the M23 will enter this part of North Kivu,” a Ugandan colonel present in Lubero (North Kivu / DRC) told us anonymously.

Recall that despite his uncontrolled actions, Muhoozi was appointed on March 21, 2024 by his father, Yoweri Museveni, Chief of Staff of the UPDF. Since then, the UPDF and the SFC (Ugandan Special Forces Command) have been accused of excessive use of violence both in the country and in the Democratic Republic of Congo. They maintain insecurity, especially kidnappings. Muhoozi and other senior officials are named in a complaint filed with the International Criminal Court by Ugandan and other human rights NGOs.

Knowing that his father is already tired (81 years old), he has already announced that he would run for president in the elections scheduled for 2026. We will remember that on March 15, 2023, his father had also indicated to the press that he would run in the next elections. Reaction which confirms the thesis of the majority of Ugandans that Muhoozi has a serious mental health problem. His place is indeed in Butabika. As an only son, he does anything and wants to constantly disturb the DRC, a country known worldwide for its hospitality. In 51 years of life on earth, son Museveni also needs good spiritual guidance, wisdom and good use of social networks. 

CHARLES MUHWEZI