Uganda's Chief of Defense Forces Muhoozi threatens to behead opposition leader Bobi Wine
What you need to know:
- Muhoozi Kainerugaba, son of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni and head of the military, caused a stir by tweeting a threat to behead opposition leader Bobi Wine, later dismissing it as a joke. Bobi Wine condemned the remark, highlighting the regime’s history of violence, while the government downplayed the comment as casual and unofficial. Known for controversial statements, including a 2022 threat to invade Kenya, Kainerugaba is widely seen as Museveni’s heir apparent. The incident underscores Uganda’s fraught political climate and the challenges faced by opposition figures like Bobi Wine, who continues to advocate for change.
Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the son of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni and head of the country’s military, recently ignited controversy with a tweet in which he threatened to behead the nation’s leading opposition figure, Bobi Wine.
Kainerugaba claimed his father, whom he referred to as "Mzee" (a Swahili term of respect for an elder), was the only reason Bobi Wine remained unharmed. "If Mzee was not there, I would cut off his head today," he wrote.
Though Kainerugaba has since apologised, dismissing the comment as a joke and claiming it was meant to be ironic, the remark has drawn widespread condemnation. Bobi Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, responded via Twitter, stating he could not take such threats lightly.
“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,” Bobi Wine tweeted.
The Ugandan government was quick to downplay the incident, with a spokesperson describing Kainerugaba’s social media posts as "casual" remarks that should not be interpreted as reflecting official policy.
This is not the first time Kainerugaba has sparked outrage with his statements. In 2022, he made headlines for threatening to invade neighbouring Kenya, a comment that was also later dismissed as a joke.
Following his latest outburst, Kainerugaba issued another tweet, cryptically suggesting that the opposition should settle their supposed debts to him before he carries out his threats.
The controversy has further fuelled speculation about Kainerugaba's political ambitions. A Reuters report noted that many view him as Museveni’s heir apparent, with the president having ruled Uganda since 1986.
Bobi Wine: A Symbol of Resistance
Bobi Wine has become a prominent figure in Ugandan politics, earning international recognition for his activism and defiance of Museveni’s long-standing regime.
He began his political journey in 2017, winning a parliamentary seat as the representative for Kyadondo East. In 2021, he ran for president under the National Unity Platform (NUP), championing a platform of change and youth empowerment.
Although the official results declared Museveni the victor, Wine and his supporters alleged widespread electoral fraud, casting doubt on the legitimacy of the election.
This latest incident highlights the tensions between Uganda's ruling establishment and the opposition, with Kainerugaba’s comments serving as a stark reminder of the threats faced by critics of the regime.
