In a series of late-night tweets, Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, issued a stark warning to security forces: crack down harder on National Unity Platform (NUP) supporters or face dismissal.
The First Son’s comments, posted in the early hours of Tuesday morning, have sparked outrage and raised concerns about escalating political repression in Uganda.
A Midnight Rant on X
Claiming to be in the jungles of Bunia, eastern DR Congo, Muhoozi took to X to express his frustrations with NUP and its leader, Robert Kyagulanyi.
“Police men who do not beat up NUP will be sent home,” he tweeted. “All of them, whatever the rank.”
Muhoozi praised the Joint Anti-Terrorism Taskforce (JAT) for its recent operations but insisted they weren’t being harsh enough.
“JAT is doing a great job! But they are not beating criminals enough. Anyone found in a red uniform should learn to fear JAT,” he wrote.
Related: Gen Muhoozi Praises JATT Amidst Controversy in Kawempe North
A Deadline for Surrender
The First Son didn’t stop there. He set a July 7 deadline for young NUP supporters to surrender to the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU), his militia-like movement, or face violent consequences.
“I am giving up to July 7 for all young boys and young men in NUP to surrender to PLU. Report to either Minister Balaam [Barugahara] or Hon [David] Kabanda. We shall welcome you and rehabilitate you. That is your amnesty from us,” he declared.
After the deadline, Muhoozi warned, NUP would be designated a rebellion, and security forces would have orders to kill anyone wearing NUP attire.
A Pattern of Repression
Muhoozi’s threats come days after security forces violently attacked NUP supporters during the Kawempe North by-election.
Journalists and opposition supporters were beaten, drawing widespread condemnation from human rights groups and the international community.
Critics argue that Muhoozi’s tweets, often dismissed as humor, have real-world consequences. His statements are frequently followed by brutal crackdowns on opposition members, raising questions about the state of democracy and rule of law in Uganda.
Mocking His Predecessors
In his tweets, Muhoozi also took aim at his predecessors in the army, calling them “very weak” leaders who betrayed the military.
“In the past, we had very weak CDFs!! They betrayed our Glorious military! That is not me! I will beat NUP into a pulp if they touch a single—that is, one—NRM supporter,” he wrote.
A Joke or a Threat?
Amid the threats, Muhoozi lightened the mood with a joke about his need to visit Europe, claiming women there were “about to protest” over his absence.
While Muhoozi has often insisted his tweets are meant for humor, critics argue that his words carry weight, especially when followed by violent crackdowns.
“Just for gargs, right?” he quipped, but the implications of his statements are far from funny.
What’s Next?
As Uganda approaches the July 7 deadline, the political climate remains tense.
Will NUP supporters heed Muhoozi’s call to surrender, or will the opposition stand firm against what they see as state-sanctioned repression?
One thing is clear: Muhoozi’s tweets have once again put Uganda’s political landscape under the spotlight, raising urgent questions about the future of democracy in the country.
