Uganda's military chief Gen. Muhoozi apologises to Western diplomats

KAMPALA, Uganda - General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the noisy Chief of the Defence Forces of the Uganda Army and the son of President Yoweri Museveni, has finally apologised to Western diplomats who complained about his conduct after what looked like threats to them.

Muhoozi, who is the head of the Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF), was put to task by his uncle, General Salim Saleh, who promised to persuade him to apologise to the diplomats over what they viewed as misconduct.

Taking to his social media, General Muhoozi vowed never to attack the diplomats again, while asking for forgiveness from his uncle, a veteran of the UPDF. General Saleh was in trenches with his brother, President Museveni.

"Out of respect for my great uncle, Afande Saleh, I shall not mention Germany or bazungu again. I want to apologize to Afande Saleh if I disobeyed him in any way. Nisamehe Afande," he said

Ambassador Jan Sadek, who led the diplomats last week to complain, said Muhoozi was becoming a danger to bilateral relations between Kampala and Brussels (the headquarters of the European Union).

“He threatened to take us to his base. I think it has created some security issues. While we do not expect the UPDF to come and kick us out, we’re concerned about what his followers may take into their own hands.” "There is also the aspect of brutality against the Opposition, then it is the threats against us,” Sadek added.

In his response, General Saleh, who is Muhoozi's uncle, told the diplomats that General Muhoozi is a 'funny guy' who never went through the Uganda Army and NRM, the infantry units that evolved to UPDF later on, thus his frequent outbursts and liberalism in the force.

He went on to urge the diplomats to view Muhoozi as an individual and not as the official government spokesperson, adding:

“You are studying him as a character. Some time back, people used to argue that you shouldn’t have educated soldiers in the army. Now the entire top command has degrees, master’s, and PhDs. I think they have some problems in their heads."

He, however, assured the diplomats, “I want to assure you, we shall manage that one for you. We shall get him on board and sort it out if he has offended you.”

GAROWE ONLINE