KAMPALA, Uganda, Oct, 5 – Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has issued a reconciliatory message to the people of Kenya following days of cryptic tweets posted by his son General Muhoozi Kainerugaba over ‘capturing’ Nairobi.
Kenyans and observers termed the tweets as a diplomatic faux pas that could threaten long historical ties between the two neighbours.
In a statement released by the Ugandan president, Muhoozi’s tweets on claiming or capturing Nairobi in order to form a united country were incorrect and not befitting a public officer.
“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. 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,” he said.
Museveni said that interfering with the internal affairs of another country was unacceptable and that in the event of conflict then,” 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,”
“Also sorry to the Ugandans who could have been annoyed by one of their officials meddling in the affairs of brother Kenya. I know for a fact that General Muhoozi is a passionate Pan-Africanist. However, the correct method for Pan Africanists is confidential interactions or using the available fora (EAC and AU), especially if you are a Public officer,” said Museveni.
Following those events that angered a section of Kenyans, Museveni said that he has since conveyed the same sentiments to president William Ruto confidentially.
Meanwhile, speculation is also rife as to whether Muhoozi is being prepared for a ‘bigger’ role, most likely a stab at active politics when his father leaves the political scene.
On Tuesday, President Museveni promoted him to the rank of full general.
Muhoozi was the commander of the land forces of the Uganda People Defence Forces (UPDF).
Major General Kayanja Muahanga is now Uganda’s commander of the land forces of the Uganda People Defence Forces (UPDF).
The changes come hours after Museveni’s son went on a Twitter rampage. He had also hinted at changes to be announced by Museveni.
“Why, then, promote him to full General after these 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. Very sorry, ndugu zetu Wakenya,”
Tweets That Angered Kenyans
Muhoozi went on a Twitter rampage on Monday posting what was at the time thought to be the commandeering of his account by hackers who threatened to ‘capture’ Nairobi and incorporate it as part of Uganda.
More than 12 hours later, the reckless statements could still be seen on his account posing the question of whether the son of Museveni truly posted the series of tweets of his own accord.
In the possibly diplomatic faux pas that could damage relations between the two historical neighbours, the general said that his army would easily take over Kenya’s capital.
“It wouldn’t take us, my army and me, 2 weeks to capture Nairobi,” he tweeted.
A section of Kenyans went on a social media assault on Muhoozi condemning his reckless statements. This however did not faze him as he continued to tweet.
“I’m happy that members of our district in Kenya, have responded enthusiastically to my tweet. It’s still 2 weeks to Nairobi! After our army captures Nairobi, where should I live? Westlands? Riverside?”
A known friend to former president Uhuru Kenyatta, the tweeting General also had some sentiments to share about his departure from office.
“My only problem with my big brother is that he did not stand for a third term. We would have won easily,” he further posted on Twitter.
“Haha! I love my Kenyan relatives. Constitution? Rule of law? You must be joking! For us (Uganda), there is only the Revolution and you will soon learn about it!”
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