General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the son of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni and has declared, “From now on if we find ANYONE wearing a NUP uniform we will kill them! No questions!”
This alarming statement seemingly targeting supporters of the opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) has sent shockwaves across Uganda and beyond raising urgent concerns about political repression, human rights violations and the state of democracy in the country.
The statement has ignited widespread condemnation from political activists, human rights organizations and international observers.
NUP leader Robert Kyagulanyi also known as Bobi Wine has long warned about the dangers posed by Uganda’s militarized political environment.
This latest threat has only confirmed fears that opposition members face extreme risks for simply expressing their political affiliation.
Social media platforms were flooded with reactions with many Ugandans expressing outrage over the perceived weaponization of state power against political opponents.
Hashtags like #MuhooziThreats and #StopPoliticalViolence began trending as citizens, journalists, and activists called for accountability.
This is not the first time General Kainerugaba has found himself at the center of controversy due to his social media activity. In the past, he has made statements that were widely interpreted as inflammatory often blurring the lines between personal opinions and state policy.
In January 2025, he briefly deactivated his Twitter account following backlash over a series of contentious posts only to return days later with renewed boldness.
opposition argue that his pattern of making incendiary remarks is indicative of Uganda’s deep-seated political tensions where state actors increasingly view opposition as an existential threat rather than a democratic necessity.
Amidst the uproar, David Kabanda the Secretary General of the Patriotic League Uganda (PLU), attempted to downplay the remarks stating that Kainerugaba was merely joking and that his words should not be taken literally.
“Gen. Muhoozi is a free guy and down to earth. He likes talking to people and makes a lot of jokes,” Kabanda remarked.
However, the opposition argue that such statements from a high-ranking military official should never be dismissed lightly.
Despite these attempts at damage control, there has been no official retraction or apology from General Kainerugaba himself.
The silence from the government has only fueled further speculation about whether this reflects a broader policy of suppressing opposition voices.
Uganda has long faced accusations of suppressing political protests, but Kainerugaba’s recent threat marks a new level of direct intimidation.
The statement whether made in jest or not, underscores the dangerous situation opposition figures and their supporters face in Uganda.
With national elections on the horizon, the fear of state-led violence against opposition supporters is growing.
Political analysts warn that such rhetoric could set a dangerous precedent, normalizing threats and violence as a means of silencing opposition.
Uganda’s political landscape is at a crossroads. The country has witnessed increasing militarization of governance with opposition parties facing systematic crackdowns.
The international community including human rights watchdogs are now closely monitoring developments in the wake of Kainerugaba’s chilling statement.
While some officials may try to brush off the remarks as mere social media banter, the reality is that words have power especially when spoken by a military leader with significant influence.
The call for accountability is growing louder with demands for an official investigation into whether this statement represents an unofficial policy of political violence.
General Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s remarks have deepened Uganda’s political divide exposing the fragility of democratic expression in the country. While some seek to minimize the impact of his statement, the potential for real-world consequences remains significant.
