On October 4, 2024, Ugandans awoke to a barrage of tweets from General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and son of President Yoweri Museveni. The tweets were directed at U.S. Ambassador to Uganda, William W. Popp, accusing him of disrespecting President Museveni and undermining the Ugandan government. Muhoozi’s comments came in the wake of new U.S. sanctions on four Ugandan police chiefs, sparking a diplomatic standoff that further strained relations between the two countries.
Muhoozi’s public denunciation of Ambassador Popp marked an unprecedented move for Uganda’s military leadership. In his tweets, Muhoozi claimed that the ambassador had behaved in an undiplomatic manner and warned that a serious confrontation between Uganda and the United States was imminent unless Popp personally apologized to President Museveni. According to Muhoozi, if Popp did not offer a personal apology by Monday morning, Uganda would demand his departure from the country. This declaration signaled a brewing diplomatic conflict that carried significant implications for Uganda’s relations with one of its most influential international partners.
The Origins of the Rift
While Muhoozi did not specify the exact actions that prompted his strong rebuke, the context surrounding the U.S. sanctions offers insight into the situation. The U.S. Department of State had recently announced travel sanctions on four high-ranking Ugandan police officers for their involvement in human rights violations, including torture and inhumane treatment. Among the sanctioned officers was Elly Womanya, who is said to have close ties to Muhoozi. This may have been the catalyst for Muhoozi’s outburst, as the sanctions appeared to directly target individuals within Uganda’s security apparatus, many of whom hold positions of influence in the country’s power structure.
The sanctioned officers, including Womanya, Bob Kagarura, Alex Mwine, and Hamdani Twesigye, were accused of gross violations of human rights, particularly in relation to their roles in Uganda’s police force. These individuals allegedly engaged in practices that contravened international norms and human rights standards, which led to the U.S. decision to impose restrictions on their ability to travel to the United States. The sanctions were seen as part of the U.S.’s broader commitment to holding accountable those responsible for human rights abuses around the world, but in Uganda, they were met with anger and defiance.
The Larger Context of U.S.-Uganda Relations
Uganda and the United States have a long-standing relationship that spans over six decades. The United States has been a key international partner for Uganda, providing nearly $1 billion in annual aid to support various sectors, including health, education, and economic development. This partnership has been vital to improving the well-being of millions of Ugandans, and the U.S. continues to play an influential role in the country’s development agenda.
However, this partnership has also been marked by periodic tensions, particularly around issues of governance and human rights. Uganda’s government, under President Museveni, has faced increasing scrutiny from international observers and human rights organizations for its handling of political opposition, its treatment of activists and journalists, and its broader human rights record. These concerns have led to growing international pressure on Uganda to address allegations of human rights abuses, particularly within its security forces.
The U.S. sanctions on the Ugandan police chiefs are the latest in a series of measures aimed at addressing human rights violations in the country. Previous sanctions have targeted other prominent Ugandan officials, including former Inspector General of Police General Kale Kayihura, and individuals linked to abuses in the military and prison systems. These sanctions reflect the U.S. government’s policy of promoting human rights and accountability globally, but they have also deepened tensions between the two countries, as Uganda’s leadership views these actions as interference in its domestic affairs.
Muhoozi’s Nationalist Rhetoric
In his tweets, Muhoozi framed the situation as a matter of national pride and sovereignty. He emphasized that Uganda has no inherent problem with the United States, a country he described as one Uganda admires and respects. However, he suggested that the U.S. had been acting against the interests of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) government, and he accused Ambassador Popp of overstepping diplomatic boundaries.
This nationalist rhetoric, coupled with the demand for a personal apology to President Museveni, is emblematic of Muhoozi’s public persona as a defender of Uganda’s sovereignty and its ruling establishment. His insistence on an apology and his warning of consequences for non-compliance reflect his strong position within Uganda’s power structure, as well as his desire to project strength in the face of international pressure. Muhoozi’s public rebuke of Popp also positions him as a staunch supporter of his father’s administration, reinforcing his role as a key figure within the Museveni government.
Muhoozi’s confrontational stance toward the U.S. ambassador is consistent with previous statements he has made on social media, where he has often taken to Twitter to express his views on both domestic and international issues. As the son of President Museveni and the Chief of Defence Forces, Muhoozi holds significant influence within Uganda’s military and political circles, and his comments are closely watched both at home and abroad.
The U.S. Response
The U.S. Embassy in Uganda and officials at the Department of State were reportedly taken by surprise by Muhoozi’s comments. Initial reports indicated that embassy staff were unaware of the specific actions that had prompted the CDF’s outburst, and they were working to assess the situation. The embassy reportedly sent a message to Uganda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressing concern over the incident, although no immediate response was forthcoming from Ugandan officials.
In a statement, Matthew Miller, the U.S. Department of State spokesperson, emphasized the United States’ continued commitment to its partnership with Uganda and to supporting the Ugandan people. He reiterated that the U.S. government would continue working directly with Ugandan authorities on a range of issues, including those related to human rights and governance. Miller also underscored the U.S.’s legal obligation to uphold justice for victims of human rights abuses and to hold accountable those responsible for such violations, a stance that was reflected in the recent sanctions.
The U.S. government’s response highlighted the tension between maintaining a long-standing partnership with Uganda and addressing ongoing concerns about human rights violations in the country. While the United States continues to provide significant financial and technical support to Uganda, particularly in sectors like health and education, its willingness to impose sanctions on high-ranking officials demonstrates that it is prepared to take a firm stance on issues of governance and accountability.
Ugandan Officials’ Reaction
Within Uganda, reactions to Muhoozi’s comments and the U.S. sanctions were mixed. Some Ugandan officials, speaking anonymously, suggested that the sanctions were the primary trigger for Muhoozi’s public rebuke of Ambassador Popp.
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