Ugandan Military Chief Demands $1 Billion for Somalia Mission, Seeks Turkish Bride

KAMPALA, Uganda — The commander of Uganda’s armed forces and son of the president, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has sparked a fresh diplomatic stir by demanding the "most beautiful woman" in Turkey for marriage, while simultaneously seeking $1 billion in compensation for Uganda’s military intervention in Somalia.

In a series of unconventional statements, Kainerugaba stated his intention to marry a Turkish national, describing it as a personal requirement. The general is well-known for his provocative social media presence, which has previously drawn rebukes from Uganda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs for complicating regional relations.

Beyond his personal demands, the general issued a high-stakes financial claim, asserting that the international community owes Uganda $1 billion. He cited the heavy cost and "blood shed" by Ugandan troops during their nearly two-decade-long mission in Somalia to combat al-Shabab militants.

Uganda remains the largest contributor of personnel to the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS). Kainerugaba argued that the requested funds are necessary to compensate for the wear and tear on military hardware and the sacrifices made by his soldiers since the deployment began in 2007.

While the Ugandan government has not issued an official statement regarding the general’s latest comments, his remarks have raised concerns among diplomats in the region who fear they could strain ties with Ankara and international donors who fund the peacekeeping mission in Mogadishu.

GAROWE ONLINE