General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the son of Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni, has announced his departure from X (formerly Twitter), citing a renewed focus on his military responsibilities. Known for his provocative and polarizing statements, the 50-year-old general’s decision has reignited discussions about his political ambitions and his controversial presence online.
In his final post on Friday, General Kainerugaba told his one million followers that “time has now come to leave and concentrate” on his duties within the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF). However, he promised to “re-converge” with his audience in the future. This marks the second time he has deactivated his account, having briefly left the platform in 2022 before making a quick return.
The general’s social media activity has frequently stirred public and political tensions, both in Uganda and internationally. Recently, he faced condemnation after a post in which he threatened to “cut off” the head of opposition leader Bobi Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi. While Kainerugaba later apologized and described the comment as a joke, Wine expressed deep concern, refusing to dismiss the threat lightly.
This incident follows a pattern of inflammatory statements from Kainerugaba. In 2022, he caused a diplomatic stir by tweeting about a hypothetical invasion of neighboring Kenya, forcing President Museveni to issue a public apology. His posts have also included support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and controversial remarks about the Ethiopian civil war, further straining Uganda’s foreign relations.
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Despite the backlash, President Museveni has defended his son, describing him as a “very good general.” The Ugandan army has also supported his constitutional right to free expression, even as critics argue that his social media activity breaches military protocols and undermines Uganda’s political stability.
In his farewell message, Kainerugaba cited his Christian faith as the driving force behind his decision to leave X. “It is on the instructions and blessings of my Lord Jesus Christ that I leave this social media and dedicate myself to my assignment to bring peace and security to our region,” he wrote.
Addressing his followers, he reflected on their decade-long journey together since he joined the platform in 2014, expressing gratitude for their support. He also urged them to continue rallying behind his father, whom he called “the greatest general of the resistance.”
Kainerugaba’s rising political profile has fueled speculation about his aspirations to succeed his father, who has ruled Uganda since 1986. While President Museveni has repeatedly denied grooming his son for leadership, Kainerugaba’s nationwide rallies and growing influence have drawn criticism and further attention to what some local media have dubbed the “Muhoozi Project.”
The general’s military career, which began in 1999, has seen him rise quickly through the ranks, a trajectory some believe has been orchestrated to position him as a potential heir to the presidency. His controversial social media activity, however, has added layers of complexity to his public image, making his future role in Ugandan politics even more uncertain.
For now, Kainerugaba’s departure from X signals a shift in priorities, though many remain skeptical about how long his absence from the platform will last. As he steps away from the digital spotlight, all eyes will be on how his influence unfolds within Uganda’s political and military landscape.
