Uganda’s Chief of General Staff, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who has made news for threats against Türkiye, has once again targeted Turkish individuals. So, how serious is the conflict between Türkiye and Uganda, and what is the cause of it?
Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Uganda’s Chief of General Staff, has once again targeted Türkiye with his social media tweets.
Kainerugaba, who is also the son of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, stated in a message he shared on his X account the other day that he had “severed all ties with Turks in Uganda” and that Turkish citizens in that country should “pack their bags” and leave Uganda as soon as possible.
In another message shared on the same day, the Ugandan Chief of Staff called for a large demonstration in front of the Turkish Embassy in Uganda on September 18. Keinerugaba announced that this demonstration would be led by Fadil Twalla, the general secretary and member of parliament of the Patriotic Union of Uganda (PLU), the movement he leads.
Kainerugaba added, “PLU should do well. This time, my order will not alter. On the contrary, we will arrest any Turkish operatives who claim otherwise!”
Kainerugaba later removed a message urging Turkish citizens to leave Uganda.
He has previously threatened Türkiye
Kainerugaba, Uganda’s Chief of General Staff since 2024, claimed in his posts last April that Uganda has been providing military support and protection to Somalia for years, while Türkiye has benefited from projects such as airports and ports in that country, and demanded a $1 billion “security share” from Ankara.
Kainerugaba also asked that the “most beautiful woman” in Türkiye be given to him as a wife, threatening to close the Turkish Embassy in Uganda and prohibit Turkish Airlines (THY) flights until his demands were granted.
In these writings, Kainerugaba also stated his support for Israel, writing, “I am ready to send 100,000 Ugandan soldiers under my command to Israel to protect the Holy Land, the land of our God Jesus Christ.”
Ankara did not take Kainerugaba’s demands and threats seriously. However, AKP Spokesperson Ömer Çelik remarked that the comments of the Ugandan Chief of General Staff had no diplomatic or political importance. Neither Türkiye nor Uganda has an issue with each other. We know that this person has already made similar claims against other nations without context or foundation. The sole voice from Türkiye to the Ugandan people is one of friendship and fraternity.
Keinerugaba wants the extradition of a Ugandan opposition politician from Türkiye
According to African media, Kainerugaba’s strong posture toward Türkiye derives from a quarrel over Ugandan opposition member Fred Lumbuye.
According to reports, Ankara denied Kainerugaba’s plea for the extradition of Lumbuye, a blogger living in Türkiye with an arrest order in Uganda.
Marriage plans with Beyonce and Meloni
Kainerugaba, known for his frequent violent threats from his X account, as well as his tabloid-worthy claims such as his plan to marry famous singer Beyonce, announced in October 2022 that he was willing to give 100 Ankole cows, which he described as “the most beautiful cows in the world,” to Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
Kainerugaba just launched his candidature for president in Uganda’s 2031 elections. Making the announcement on his X account, the 52-year-old Kainerugaba said he would win with 90% of the vote and the backing of his father.
His biggest rival is his brother-in-law
Odrek Rwabwogo, Kainerugaba’s brother-in-law, is likely to be his main adversary in the 2031 elections. Rwabwogo is known as a calmer figure than Kainerugaba and presents himself as a reformer. He is married to Museveni’s daughter.
Kainerugaba, who has labelled his brother-in-law’s economic think tank an “illegal organisation”, has threatened to arrest Rwabwogo and other members of the group. Kainerugaba recently removed a social media post where he boasted of kidnapping Rwabwogo’s aide.
Museveni, 81, who has controlled Uganda since 1986, won the January 2026 election, extending his tenure until 2031.
Museveni, a former guerrilla army leader and a “military figure,” is expected to back his son, who leads Uganda’s army, in the 2031 elections.
In Uganda, with opposition politicians imprisoned or forced to flee the country, it is commonly assumed that if Museveni does not seek re-election, someone from the royal family will replace him.
