Ugandan Army Chief General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, son of President Yoweri Museveni, has sparked controversy with his vow to block former Democratic Republic of Congo President Joseph Kabila’s potential return to power. Kainerugaba took to social media platform X, stating, “I will not let Joseph Kabila become a President of DRC again! You can forget about that.”
The general’s declaration is seen as a show of support for current DRC President Félix Tshisekedi, whom he referred to as “my big brother.”
Kainerugaba pledged to “support him as much as possible,” criticizing Kabila’s past leadership and accusing him of allowing the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebel group to operate freely in Eastern Congo for 17 years.
Kabila, who ruled the DRC from 2001 to 2019, is rumored to be planning a political comeback. The tension between Kabila and Tshisekedi escalated recently, with Tshisekedi accusing Kabila of conspiring with foreign powers and preparing a rebellion. Kabila, on the other hand, has criticized Tshisekedi’s governance, citing issues with human rights, intimidation, and arbitrary arrests.
Kainerugaba’s remarks have drawn regional and international attention, with analysts warning of potential diplomatic implications. Congolese analyst Jean-Claude Kasongo criticized the Ugandan army chief’s statement, saying, “DRC’s leadership is for Congolese to decide.”
The controversy surrounding Kainerugaba’s statement raises questions about the role of social media in regional politics and the potential impact on Uganda-DRC relations.