Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Uganda’s military chief and son of long-serving President Yoweri Museveni, has sparked controversy by threatening to behead opposition leader Bobi Wine. The inflammatory remarks, posted on social media platform X on Sunday, are the latest in a series of provocative statements by Kainerugaba, who is widely seen as Museveni’s heir apparent.
In his post, Kainerugaba referred to his father by the honorific “Mzee” and claimed that Museveni was the only one protecting Wine from him. “If Mzee was not there, I would cut off his head today,” he wrote.
Bobi Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, responded to the threat by stating that he did not take it lightly, citing previous attempts on his life. Wine, a former musician turned politician, is President Museveni’s most prominent challenger and finished second in the 2021 presidential election.
Kainerugaba escalated the exchange by accusing Wine of owing the government money, saying, “Before I behead you, repay us the money we loaned you,” a suggestion that the government may have attempted to buy Wine’s silence in the past.
Kainerugaba is known for his incendiary social media posts, including a 2022 threat to invade neighbouring Kenya. Although he later apologised for that remark, his posts continue to cause alarm. Ugandan government representatives have previously dismissed his comments as “casual” and not reflective of official policy.
Wine has long accused Museveni’s government of election fraud and human rights abuses, including torture and arbitrary detention. Human rights activists have also criticised the administration for its treatment of political opponents. However, the government has consistently denied these allegations.
Kainerugaba’s latest remarks have reignited concerns over Uganda’s political climate, as the country grapples with increasing tensions between the ruling regime and opposition figures. Neither Kainerugaba nor government spokespeople were immediately available for comment, and the armed forces declined to address the issue.
Wine, undeterred by the threats, continues to challenge Museveni’s decades-long rule, amplifying calls for democratic reforms in Uganda.
Melissa Enoch
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