Gen. Muhoozi Accuses U.S. Ambassador of Undermining President Museveni

Uganda's army chief, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has accused the United States envoy to Uganda, William W. Popp, of undermining President Museveni’s government.

In a statement shared on X (formerly Twitter) on Friday morning, Muhoozi revealed that Uganda may soon face a serious confrontation with the U.S. diplomat. “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 US Ambassador to our country,” said Gen. Muhoozi. He further stated, “For disrespecting our beloved and celebrated President and for undermining the constitution of Uganda.”

While Muhoozi did not provide further details, the accusations come in the wake of U.S. sanctions against four Ugandan Police officers over their alleged involvement in the mistreatment of National Unity Platform (NUP) MP Francis Zaake in the lead-up to the 2021 general elections.

The U.S. Department of State announced on Wednesday that the sanctioned officers include Bob Kagarura, the former Wamala Regional Police Commander; Alex Mwine, former District Police Commander for the Mityana District; Elly Womanya, a then-Senior Commissioner within the Uganda Police Force (UPF) and Deputy Director of the Criminal Investigations Division in charge of the Special Investigations Unit (SIU); and Hamdani Twesigye, then-Deputy Inspector of Police assigned to SIU.

These four officers and their families have been barred from traveling to the United States.

The Ugandan government has not yet issued a formal response to these sanctions. However, the event recalls a previous warning by President Museveni in 2018, when he cautioned the Western community, particularly the United States, against interfering in Uganda's internal matters. Museveni suggested that legislation could be introduced to penalize Ugandan collaborators with foreign entities.

“Interfering in the internal affairs of other countries is morally and practically wrong,” Museveni stated in a national address at the time. He questioned the notion that foreign powers could understand Uganda's problems better than its own citizens. “If there is a problem in our house, we the occupants will solve it. Keep out,” he emphasized. Museveni also argued that outsiders cannot possess enough information to accurately assess a foreign situation.

This isn't the first time Uganda has faced foreign sanctions. Recently, the United Kingdom and the United States imposed sanctions on several prominent Ugandan officials, including Speaker of Parliament Anita Among and Ministers Goretti Kitutu, Agnes Nandutu, and Amos Lugolobi, for their alleged involvement in the Karamoja iron sheets scandal.

Additionally, Lt. Gen. Peter Elwelu, a former deputy army chief, was sanctioned due to his alleged role in the 2016 storming of the Rwenzururu palace in Kasese District.

Opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi (Bobi Wine) expressed his approval of the U.S. actions, writing on the X platform that these sanctions serve as a reminder that "the wheels of justice may come slowly, but they will eventually arrive."

However, others have voiced strong objections to foreign interference. In response to Kyagulanyi, Peter Nkosi argued, “I strongly disagree with your stance on this matter. It’s concerning that you’re celebrating the interference of a foreign entity in Uganda’s internal affairs. The US sanctions on four senior police officers may seem like a victory, but it undermines our nation’s sovereignty and the spirit of Pan-Africanism.”

Nkosi continued, “We should be focusing on strengthening our institutions and addressing human rights issues internally, rather than relying on external forces to impose justice. This approach not only undermines our independence but also creates a culture of dependency on foreign powers.”