The Ugandan government has distanced itself from controversial remarks made by Uganda’s commander of the land forces of the Uganda People Defence Forces (UPDF) Muhoozi Kainerubaga that have since sparked a storm on social media.
Kainerubaga, who is the son of President Yoweri Museveni, on Monday, October 3, angered Kenyans after comments that he would only need two weeks to conquer Nairobi.
Ugandan media on Tuesday reported that the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs had downplayed Kainerubaga’s Twitter comments and clarified that the government does not conduct its Foreign Policy and other official business through social media.
The Ugandan government further reiterated its commitment to good neighbourliness, peaceful co-existence and cooperation between the two neighbouring countries.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of to Republic of Uganda has noted the debate on social media in respect to the relationship between Uganda and our brotherly neighbour, the Republic of Kenya.
“The Ministry wishes to emphasize that the Government and the people of the Republic of Uganda treasure the existing strong bilateral relations between the people and the Government of the Republic of Kenya based on our shared history, common values, mutual respect, trust and the desire to build a unified East African Community,” the government said.
“To this end, the Government of the Republic of Uganda wishes to reiterate its commitment to good neighbourliness, peaceful co-existence and cooperation.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to clarify that the Government of the Republic of Uganda does not conduct its Foreign Policy and other official business through social media nor does it depend on social media sources in dealing with other sovereign Governments.
“The Government of the Republic of Uganda, therefore, wishes to reiterate its cordial relationship with the Republic of Kenya and assure the people and the Government of the Republic of Kenya of our harmonious relationship that we value.”
The statement comes hours after Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary nominee Alfred Mutua held a meeting with Uganda’s High Commissioner to Kenya Dr. Hassan Galiwango.
The former Machakos County governor stated that they discussed interesting matters and that ‘everything is okay’.
“This morning I shared a social cup of tea with Amb. Dr. Hassan Galiwango – Uganda High Commissioner to Kenya. We discussed interesting matters. Mambo iko Sawa (Everything is okay),” Mutua posted.
Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei was among leaders who expressed concerns over the comments by Museveni’s son.
Summon Uganda’s ambassador
Cherargei on Monday 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.
