Members of Uganda’s main opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) party, led by their leader Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu aka Bobi Wine, have poked holes in President Yoweri Kaguta Tibuhaburwa Museveni’s apology over his son Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s careless tweets.
The apology, which Museveni issued on Wednesday, October 05, followed reckless statements by his son Gen Kainerugaba, including one in which the now former Commander of UPDF Land Forces ‘joked’ about capturing the Kenyan capital, Nairobi.
Before his apology, Gen Museveni had promoted his son to rank of general, the highest in the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), the country’s national army, and dropped him as the Commander of the Land Forces.
NUP party officials say that Gen Museveni should have demoted his son and sent him to the Court Martial for trial over indiscipline.
Leader of opposition in Parliament and Nyendo Mukungwe MP Mathias Mpuuga says that Ugandans should not downplay the storm caused by Muhoozi since failure of diplomacy between the two brotherly countries over “careless use of social media by a high ranking army general and public officer” could cost Kampala economically.
“As you may know, Kenya is Uganda’s main gateway to the sea and an economic powerhouse across the region. Anything that affects the relations between the two countries will have far reaching effects on Business and livelihood of the ordinary Ugandans,” said Mpuuga, who is also the NUP Vice President.
He went on to castigate Museveni for promoting a son who had made such a blunder.
“We are concerned that during the heat of the storm, Mr. Museveni chose to promote his son to a four-star General, the highest rank in the UPDF. Acceptable practice would demand that General Muhoozi would be demoted to a lower rank,” said Mpuuga,
“By promoting his erratic and careless son, Mr. Museveni is showing no concern to the reputation of a national army which needs insulation from erratic and dangerous behavior moreso from one of its top officers. The behaviour of Gen. Muhoozi, which is no secret to many Ugandans should offer a sobering reflection as to what is required to promote men in uniform beyond blood relations.”
On October 05, Gen Museveni revealed why he promoted Muhoozi to the rank of General even when his son made shocking mistakes. (Read Story Here).
The Leader of Opposition in Parliament further punched holes in Museveni’s apology, wondering why Gen Muhoozi was yet to apologize. Mpuuga also complained about Museveni’s failure to punish his son.
“We acknowledge the Apology by Gen. Yoweri Museveni but we also observe that although it is in order for Gen Museveni to apologize on behalf of his errant and out of sorts son, his apology falls short of punitive measures,” he noted.
NUP leader Bobi wondered when Museveni will apologize for crimes he has allegedly committed.
“While Gen. Museveni ‘apologizes’ for his son’s thoughtless threats against Kenya, I ask, who apologizes to the countless people he abducts and tortures with reckless abandon? Who ensures they get justice? God willing, there will be accountability for these crimes against humanity,” he said.
On Wednesday, Museveni apologized to Kenyans, asking them to forgive Uganda for his son’s mistakes. (Read Story Here).
Earlier, Bobi Wine warned Ugandans that Muhoozi will be president if they don’t ‘stop this madness.’ (Read Story Here).
