By Enyichukwu Enemanna
The head of Uganda’s military, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has threatened to behead the country’s most prominent opposition leader, Bobi Wine.
Kainerugaba, who is also the son of long-standing President Yoweri Museveni, referred to his father by the honorific “Mzee” as the only saving grace protecting Bobi Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, from being eliminated.
“If Mzee was not there, I would cut off his head today,” Kainerugaba posted, referring to Wine.
Kainerugaba is widely believed to be the preferred successor to his father, who has ruled the East African country since 1986.
He is known for his recklessly inflammatory posts on social media.
In 2022, he threatened to mobilise the army to invade neighbouring Kenya.
Following widespread criticism, he later apologised for the threat, dismissing certain of his posts as “ironical”.
Bobi Wine, who came second in a 2021 presidential election won by Museveni, responded on X that he did not take the threat lightly, saying there had been several previous attempts on his life.
Kainerugaba responded: “Finally! I woke you up? Before I behead you, repay us the money we loaned you.”
It is not clear what he meant, but there are indications that the government may have previously given out funds to undermine opposition.
Despite the gravity of the threat, the government spokesperson has repeatedly said Kainerugaba’s social media posts should be understood as “casual” comments and not taken seriously or as reflecting government policy.
Human rights activists have accused the government of 80-year-old Museveni of widespread human rights abuses, torture, and arbitrary detention.
In 2024, Museveni made minor changes to his cabinet, after which he appointed his son as chief of defence forces.
Kainerugaba had earlier been removed from his previous office as head of land forces for his controversial posts on X before his appointment last year.
According to the Ugandan constitution, a serving military officer is not allowed to be involved in political activities.
But the President’s son has ignored that, not only voicing his opinions but also making his political ambitions public.
