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Uganda’s military chief, who also happens to be the son of President Yoweri Museveni, has stoked controversy with a chilling threat against the country’s leading opposition leader, vowing to behead him. This brazen declaration has further ignited the already volatile political situation, drawing widespread condemnation and raising concerns over the growing risks to political freedom in the country.
General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, often seen as the likely successor to his father’s presidency, has long been a figure of controversy, known for his frequent and provocative posts on social media. These remarks, often bold and inflammatory, have drawn both national and international attention, adding to the already charged political environment in Uganda.
General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, notorious for his controversial statements, faced significant backlash in 2022 when he threatened to invade Kenya, a remark he later attributed to irony and publicly apologized for.
Yet, his provocations persist, with Kainerugaba again stirring tensions on X, where he declared that only his father, affectionately called Mzee, was preventing him from taking decisive action against opposition figure Bobi Wine.
“Kabobi knows the only person protecting him from me is my father. If Mzee was not there, I would cut off his head today!” he wrote.
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Reacting to the threat, Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, responded by saying, “The threat by Museveni’s son (who also heads Uganda’s military) to behead me is not something I take lightly, given that many have been killed by him and his father, and considering their several attempts at my life. I refuse to be intimidated by the cowardly regime. The world is watching.”
Kainerugaba responded: “Finally! I woke you up? Before I behead you, repay us the money we loaned you,” suggesting the government had previously bought off Wine to undermine the opposition.
Bobi Wine, a former musician now at the forefront of Uganda’s political opposition, has become a symbol of resistance against President Yoweri Museveni. As his most formidable rival, Wine has not hesitated to voice serious allegations, including rejecting the results of the 2021 election, citing ballot manipulation and voter coercion.
In parallel, human rights groups have condemned the Museveni administration for its alleged widespread violations, such as the torture and illegal detention of dissenters.
Uganda’s government has repeatedly denied allegations of election fraud and human rights abuses.
