I am not against the West- Gen Kainerugaba

First Son and Commander of the Defence Forces (CDF), Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has come out  to clarify his stance on relations with Western nations following a recent public uproar caused by his remarks on social media.

Muhoozi, who has previously been vocal about Uganda’s foreign relations, posted a statement explaining that his criticisms are not directed at the West in general but are a stand against what he perceives as injustices inflicted upon African nations.

"I'm not anti-bazungu as some people would like to suggest. I just hate injustices against Africans," Muhoozi stated on his X account, emphasizing that his stance stems from a strong belief in protecting African sovereignty and dignity.

The general, known for his forthright communication style, sought to dispel rumors that his controversial remarks equated to a rejection of all Western countries, stressing that some of these nations remain close friends of Uganda.

In his statement, Muhoozi listed several Western countries that he holds in high regard, including Sweden, the United Kingdom, Italy, France, the Netherlands, Ireland, and Belgium.

“Personally, my favorite countries in the West are Sweden (the country that gave us refuge in the 1980s), the UK (the country that trained me as a soldier), Italy a good friend of Uganda, France which is always looking for good relations with us, the Netherlands, Ireland and Belgium,” he explained.

This demonstrates his nuanced view of the West, where he acknowledges the positive historical ties between Uganda and several European nations while criticizing certain policies that he believes harm African interests.

Muhoozi’s statement comes on the heels of a significant diplomatic controversy sparked by his ultimatum to the US Ambassador to Uganda.

In a series of now-deleted posts on X (formerly Twitter), Muhoozi had given the US Ambassador to Uganda until Monday to leave the country.

He accused the US of undermining Uganda’s sovereignty by continuously imposing sanctions on Ugandan security officials, many of whom are linked to President Yoweri Museveni’s administration.

The general’s frustration appears to stem from the US’s repeated sanctions on individuals within Uganda’s security apparatus, often citing human rights abuses and the government’s handling of political opposition.

Such actions by Washington have not sat well with Muhoozi, who views them as unfair punitive measures that disregard Uganda’s right to manage its internal affairs.

The ultimatum, which generated significant diplomatic concern, was issued just days after fresh reports surfaced about potential US-imposed restrictions on Ugandan officials, particularly in light of accusations concerning the handling of opposition figures and protesters.

However, before the Monday morning ultimatum could be enforced, Muhoozi deleted the controversial tweets, which seemed to signal a de-escalation of the situation.

The deletion of the posts, though, has done little to quell ongoing discussions about the underlying tensions between Kampala and Washington.

The incident has left many speculating whether the move to delete the tweets came from internal pressure within the Ugandan government, or was as a result of response from the US who talked "serious response'" following threats to their Kampala based ambassador.

Muhoozi’s decision to clarify his position on the West, while standing firm on his opposition to perceived foreign interference, indicates the balancing act Uganda finds itself performing on the global stage.

As the son of President Yoweri Museveni, a key figure in the country’s political and military landscape, Muhoozi has become an influential voice in shaping Uganda’s foreign policy.

His statements often attract both domestic and international attention, and his assertive posture has occasionally put him at odds with foreign powers.