By Patriot Corps
General Muhoozi Kainerugaba has issued a stern ultimatum to the United States Ambassador to Uganda, William W. Popp, demanding a personal apology to President Yoweri Museveni by Monday morning at 9:00 AM, or face expulsion from the country. In a fiery post on X (formerly Twitter) on Friday, Muhoozi accused the U.S. envoy of showing disrespect to Uganda’s president and undermining the nation’s constitution.
“Fellow Ugandans, it is my solemn duty to announce to you all that we as a nation are about to have a serious confrontation with the current U.S. Ambassador to our country,” said Muhoozi. “For disrespecting our beloved and celebrated President and for undermining the constitution of Uganda,” he added, without providing further details on the incident.
Muhoozi’s warning follows recent U.S. sanctions against four senior Ugandan police officers accused of human rights abuses in connection to the mistreatment of opposition MP Francis Zaake during the 2021 elections. The sanctioned officers, along with their families, were banned from entering the U.S.
The tension between Uganda and the U.S. government has been steadily escalating, with the latter imposing sanctions on high-ranking Ugandan officials, including Parliament Speaker Anita Among, and several ministers over their alleged involvement in corruption and human rights violations. President Museveni has previously condemned foreign interference in Uganda’s affairs, stating that Uganda’s internal problems are for its people to solve.
In a 2018 national address, Museveni warned that Uganda could introduce legislation to penalize those collaborating with foreign powers, particularly Western nations. “Interfering in the internal affairs of other countries is morally and practically wrong,” Museveni said, adding that only the residents of a country have the necessary insight to resolve domestic issues.
As Muhoozi’s ultimatum looms, public opinion remains divided. Opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, known as Bobi Wine, welcomed the U.S. sanctions, arguing that justice is slowly being served. However, many Ugandans, such as one Peter Nkosi, voiced concerns that foreign interventions undermine the country’s sovereignty and weaken its institutions.
The Ugandan government has yet to issue a formal response to Muhoozi’s demands, but with the deadline fast approaching, the unfolding diplomatic standoff could have significant consequences for U.S.-Ugandan relations.
