Gambiaj.com – (WASHINGTON, DC) – Washington has signaled growing unease over its security partnership with Uganda following inflammatory remarks by General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the son of President Yoweri Museveni and a senior military figure, accusing the United States embassy in Kampala of interfering in Uganda’s recent presidential election.
The controversy erupted after General Kainerugaba posted a series of messages on social media alleging that the US embassy helped opposition leader Bobi Wine escape his home during an army raid shortly after the January 15 presidential election results were announced. In the same posts, he declared a suspension of all cooperation with the US embassy in Uganda.
The remarks drew a sharp response from Washington. Senator Jim Risch, a Republican who chairs the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said the statements had crossed a “red line” and called for a reassessment of US–Uganda security relations.
“From now on, the United States must reassess its security partnership with Uganda,” Risch wrote on the same social media platform.
Although General Kainerugaba later deleted the posts and issued an apology, saying he had spoken with the US ambassador and that military cooperation would continue, his attempt to defuse the situation failed to reassure key figures in Washington.
“The president’s son, and his likely successor, cannot simply delete tweets and make false apologies,” Senator Risch said, underscoring the seriousness with which the comments were received. He added that the United States “will not tolerate this level of instability or irresponsibility.”
General Kainerugaba has a history of provocative public statements, often made on social media, which have previously stirred diplomatic and political controversy.
However, the latest episode appears to have heightened concerns in Washington, not only because of the direct accusations against the US embassy but also due to his prominent role in Uganda’s military and his perceived position as a potential successor to President Museveni.
The incident comes at a sensitive time for US–Uganda relations, which have long included close security cooperation, particularly in regional counterterrorism efforts.
Senator Risch’s comments suggest that this partnership could now come under closer scrutiny, as Washington weighs the implications of the Ugandan general’s conduct for stability, accountability, and diplomatic trust.
