Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei has expressed concerns over a series of controversial tweets by Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni’s son, Muhoozi Kainerubaga, about Kenya.
Kainerubaga, who serves as the commander of the land forces of the Uganda People Defence Forces (UPDF), sparked a storm on Twitter on Monday, October 3, after warning that he would only need two weeks to conquer Nairobi, Kenya’s capital.
The army general had earlier heaped praises on immediate former President Uhuru Kenyatta, who he suggested should have sought a third term in office.
“Just spoke to my big brother, Afande Uhuru. An incredible man! I love him for his courage, honesty and intelligence! He will visit Uganda soon,” Kainerugaba said.
“My only problem with my beloved big brother is that he didn’t stand for a third term. We would have won easily!”
The tweet was followed by a series of other posts that elicited an angry reaction from Kenyans who expressed their dismay over the military official’s conduct on social media, which is likely to ignite a diplomatic tiff between the two neighbouring countries.
A few moments later he tweeted, “I’m glad that I have scared you Kenyans a bit! Two weeks is long. Nairobi in one week for sure! Aided by my brothers from Carnival!”
I’m glad that I have scared you Kenyans a bit! Two weeks is long. Nairobi in one week for sure! Aided by my brothers from Carnival!
— Muhoozi Kainerugaba (@mkainerugaba) October 3, 2022
Reacting to Kainerubaga’s alarming tweets, Cherargei called on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to summon Uganda’s ambassador to shed light on the high-ranking military official’s ‘social media outburst’.
While calling for an apology from the Ugandan embassy in Nairobi, the outspoken legislator noted that the tweets by Kainerubaga were undermining the spirit of unity of the East Africa Community (EAC).
“I expect by morning the ministry of foreign affairs to summon Ugandan ambassador to shed light on Gen. Muhoozi social media outbursts & subsequent apology. This is undermining the spirit of unity of EAC,” Cherargei tweeted.
I expect by morning the ministry of foreign affairs to summon Ugandan ambassador to shed light on Gen. Muhoozi social media outbursts & subsequent apology . This is undermining the spirit of unity of EAC @ForeignOfficeKE @mkainerugaba @UgandaMFA @StateHouseUg
— Senator Kiprotich Arap Cherargei (@scherargei) October 3, 2022
Uganda’s opposition leader Kizza Besigye also expressed concerns over Kainerubaga’s posts further alleging a plot by Museveni’s administration to control Kenyan territory.
“History repeats itself? Uganda’s Generals seeking to control Kenyan territory: 46 years after Idi Amin, it’s now Gen Muhoozi! That’s why Kenyans can’t take it lightly!”
“President Jomo Kenyatta & his Vice President, Arap Moi, worked frantically to seek a solution to Idi Amin’s threat. Gen Amin, like Gen M7, had been equipping his military with Russian Jet Fighters!” he added.
President Jomo Kenyatta & his Vice President, Arap Moi, worked frantically to seek a solution to Idi Amin’s threat.
— Kifefe Kizza-Besigye (@kizzabesigye1) October 3, 2022
Gen Amin, like Gen M7, had been equipping his military with Russian Jet Fighters! pic.twitter.com/BgeqAG2cpy
