The commander-in-chief of the Ugandan army, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, presented an ultimatum to American ambassador William Popp, demanding that he apologize to President Yoweri Museveni (Kainerugaba’s father) or leave the country, writes Nile Post.
The general accused the diplomat of behaving in an “undiplomatic” manner in the country. If Popp does not personally apologize to Museveni by 9am on Monday, October 7, he will have to leave Uganda, Kainerugaba threatened. The commander in chief did not explain what he meant by “undiplomatic” behavior.
Kainerugaba noted that Uganda “loves and admires” the United States, but recently “there is a lot of evidence that they are working against the National Resistance Movement government (the ruling party led by Museveni).
Nile Post notes that the general has announced his intention to run in the 2026 elections. However, in September he announced that he would not participate and instead supported his 80-year-old father.
Prior to this, the commander-in-chief stated that Uganda was “on the brink of a serious confrontation” with the ambassador, which is associated with his disrespect “towards his beloved and illustrious president and the undermining of the Ugandan constitution.” According to Kainerugaba, these are not personal grievances, but interference in the country’s affairs.
“This is a national issue and you will see that no foreign country will ever dominate Uganda again!” – he assured.
His statement came after the US State Department imposed sanctions on four Ugandan police officers for their alleged involvement in human rights abuses, including torture.
Popp became an ambassador last September. Since then, a significant number of the country’s high-ranking officials have faced US sanctions, the publication notes.
Museveni appointed his son as army chief in March this year. Kainerugaba previously led the army, but was fired by his father in 2022 after threatening to invade neighboring Kenya.
The general also promised to “send soldiers to defend Moscow if it is threatened by the imperialists” and declared his support for the Russian president. Vladimir Putinclarifies RBC.
