U.S. Calls for Review of Uganda Security Ties After Muhoozi’s ‘Reckless’ Tweets
The United States has called for a reassessment of its security and military cooperation with Uganda following controversial social media remarks by General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the Chief of Defence Forces and son of President Yoweri Museveni, which have triggered diplomatic tensions between Washington and Kampala.
U.S. Senator Jim Risch, the Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, on Friday, January 30, dismissed a public apology issued by Muhoozi as inadequate, describing it as hollow and failing to address the seriousness of the situation. Risch urged the administration of President Donald Trump to consider tougher measures against Uganda, including sanctions and a review of defence ties with the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF).
In a strongly worded statement, the senator warned that deleting posts and issuing apologies could not erase the implications of the remarks or the risks they posed to U.S. interests and regional stability.
“Deleting tweets and offering a belated apology does not undo the damage or reflect the gravity of the threat posed. The United States cannot tolerate recklessness when American personnel, interests, and civilian lives are potentially at risk,” Risch said.
The remarks came after Muhoozi faced international criticism over a series of social media posts linked to Uganda’s disputed January general elections, which were marred by allegations of widespread human rights abuses. One post, which he later deleted, drew particular outrage after he appeared to claim responsibility for the killing of 22 supporters of the opposition National Unity Platform (NUP), whom he labelled terrorists.
Earlier on Friday, Muhoozi issued a public apology to the United States, saying he had deleted the controversial tweets and acknowledged that he had been misinformed. He said the posts had attracted international condemnation and strained Uganda’s relations with key allies.
“I regret the statements I made and have since deleted them. I was misinformed, and I have spoken with the U.S. Ambassador to Uganda to clarify the matter,” Muhoozi said, adding that relations between Uganda and the United States remained intact and that military cooperation would continue as usual.
Uganda is a long-standing security partner of the United States in the East African region, particularly in counterterrorism operations and peacekeeping missions. However, Senator Risch argued that Muhoozi’s conduct should prompt Washington to reassess whether continued cooperation aligns with U.S. values and strategic interests.
“We must review our security partnership with Kampala, including military assistance and cooperation with the UPDF,” Risch said, calling for accountability over what he termed instability and recklessness.
Ugandan officials moved quickly to contain the diplomatic fallout. According to government sources, Uganda’s Ambassador to the United States, Adonia Ayebare, engaged U.S. officials in Washington in an effort to ease tensions. Ayebare later said the issue had been resolved and insisted that ties between the two countries remained strong.
“Uganda values its relationship with the United States, which remains mutually beneficial and a top priority for our government,” Ayebare said.
The controversy unfolded against the backdrop of Uganda’s January elections, in which President Museveni was declared the winner with 7.9 million votes, securing a seventh term in office. Opposition leader Bobi Wine received 2.7 million votes but rejected the results, citing alleged electoral irregularities and violence.
While Uganda maintains that the apology has resolved the matter, U.S. lawmakers appear unconvinced, signalling that further scrutiny of Kampala’s conduct and its relationship with Washington may follow in the coming weeks.
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U.S. Calls for Review of Uganda Security Ties After Muhoozi’s ‘Reckless’ Tweets
