Museveni's brother promises to tame UPDF chief Gen. Muhoozi after EU complaint

KAMPALA - General Salim Saleh, a veteran of the National Resistance Army (NRM) and Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF), has promised to tame General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the army chief and son of his brother, President Yoweri Museveni.

Muhoozi, whose rise in UPDF has been questioned by critics who peg in on the relationship with the country's leadership, is fond of making controversial remarks on social media, with the latest tweet on X platforms raising concerns among diplomats.

European Union (EU) diplomats have frequently complained about Muhoozi's threats, arguing that the rants present a threat to Uganda's international standing and bilateral relations.

Muhoozi had threatened to detain them for meeting officials of Bobby Wine's party.Ambassador Jan Sadek, who led the diplomats revealed to Saleh that his nephew has been a bother to diplomats in recent weeks.

“He threatened to take us to his base. I think it has created some security issues. While we do not expect the UPDF to come and kick us out, we’re concerned about what his followers may take into their own hands.”

"There is also the aspect of brutality against the Opposition, then it is the threats against us,” Sadek added.

And in his response, General Saleh who is Muhoozi's uncle told the diplomats that Muhoozi is 'funny' but pledged to tame him. He associated his character to modernisation of the UPDF, which was initially National Resistance Army which played a huge role in removal of Idi Amin.

“The CDF, that guy is a funny man because he is the only CDF who didn’t come from the Uganda Army, UNLA, or NRA, he’s a product of the UPDF, which came after 1995. So those guys are crazy; they’ve got their ways. They are educated, well-trained, and I don’t know what he is sometimes.”

He went on to urge the diplomats to view Muhoozi as an individual and not as the official government spokesperson, adding:

“You are studying him as a character. Some time back, people used to argue that you shouldn’t have educated soldiers in the army. Now the entire top command has degrees, master’s, and PhDs. I think they have some problems in their heads."

He, however, assured the diplomats, “I want to assure you, we shall manage that one for you. We shall get him on board and sort it out if he has offended you.”

GAROWE ONLINE