Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces and presidential son, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has issued a public apology to the United States following controversial social media posts that sparked diplomatic concern and sharp reactions from senior U.S. lawmakers.
In a statement dated 30 January 2026, Muhoozi said he had deleted the earlier tweets after realising he had been “fed wrong information,” and sought to reassure Washington of Uganda’s continued commitment to bilateral ties.
“I want to apologise to our great friends, the United States, for my earlier tweets that I have now deleted. I was being fed wrong information,” Muhoozi said.
“I have spoken with the U.S. Ambassador to our country, and everything is okay. We are going to continue our military cooperation as usual.”
U.S. Pushback and Warning
Despite the apology, senior U.S. officials have signalled that the matter may not be easily resolved.
On 31 January 2026, U.S. Senator Jim Risch, a powerful figure in U.S. foreign policy circles, issued a stern warning, describing Muhoozi’s conduct as crossing a “red line” that could force Washington to reassess its security relationship with Uganda.
“Commander Muhoozi has crossed a red line, and now the U.S. must reevaluate its security partnership, which includes sanctions and military cooperation with Uganda,” Risch said.
Risch further criticised what he termed “hollow apologies,” warning that deleting tweets alone would not be sufficient given the regional and diplomatic implications of the statements.
“The president’s son, and likely successor, cannot just delete tweets and issue hollow apologies. The U.S. will not tolerate this level of instability and recklessness,” he added.
Implications for Uganda–U.S. Relations
Uganda and the United States have long cooperated on counter-terrorism and regional security in East Africa, particularly in Somalia.
While Muhoozi’s apology suggests an attempt to calm tensions, Senator Risch’s remarks indicate that Washington may still consider sanctions or a review of military cooperation, depending on future conduct.
The situation places renewed scrutiny on Muhoozi’s public statements, especially as he is widely viewed as a potential successor to President Yoweri Museveni.
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