Museveni Apologizes to Kenyans for Son’s Offensive Tweets

Uganda President Yoweri Museveni has apologized to Kenyans over the offensive tweets posted by his son Muhoozi Kainerugaba on Monday.

Kainerugaba, a high-ranking Ugandan army commander, threatened on Twitter to invade Kenya and capture Nairobi.

“It wouldn’t take us, my army and me, 2 weeks to capture Nairobi,” he wrote in one of his many tweets about Kenya.

He also questioned former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s decision not to seek a third term, saying he would have overwhelmingly won the August 9th presidential election. 

"Just spoke to my big brother, Afande Uhuru. An incredible man! I love him for his courage, honesty and intelligence! He will visit Uganda soon," he wrote. “My only problem with my beloved big brother is that he didn't stand for a third term. We would have won easily!"

Kainerugaba, who is widely regarded as the de facto head of the military and his father's chosen successor, later said the tweets were made in jest.

On Wednesday, President Museveni released a statement apologizing to Kenyans, saying it was wrong for his son to comment or try to interfere with Kenya’s internal affairs.

“I ask our Kenyan brothers and sisters to forgive us for tweets sent by General Muhoozi, former Commander of Land Forces here, regarding the election matters in that great country,” read the statement.

“It is not correct for Public officers, be they civilian or military, to comment or interfere in any way, in the internal affairs of brother countries. The only available legitimate forum is the Peer Review Mechanism of the  African Union, or confidential interactions among us or  EAC and  AU fora –not public comments.”

“I have conveyed all those views confidentially to H.E. Ruto, the President of Kenya.”

Museveni also defended his decision to promote Kainerugaba to the rank of full General after the provocative comments.

“This is because this mistake is one aspect where he has acted negatively as a Public officer. There are, however, many other positive contributions the General has made and can still make. This is a time-tested formula –discourage the negative and encourage the positive,” said Museveni.