Tensions have flared in Uganda as Hon. Derrick Nyeko, the Shadow Minister for Defence and Veteran Affairs, issued a strongly worded letter to the Chairperson of the Committee on Defence and Veteran Affairs, demanding the immediate summoning of General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF).
Dated May 2, 2025, the letter accuses General Muhoozi of reckless and unprofessional behavior, claiming his actions threaten the rule of law, democratic governance, and civilian safety.
In the letter, Nyeko expresses deep concern over General Muhoozi’s alleged disregard for the Committee’s authority and his failure to uphold accountability.
He specifically highlights the General’s supposed role in militarizing politics and using the UPDF to intimidate civilians, including opposition leaders.
The letter points to public threats made by General Muhoozi against Hon. Robert Kyagulanyi, President of the National Unity Platform (commonly known as Bobi Wine), and Rt. Col. Kiza Besigye, a veteran opposition figure.
It also alleges the General’s involvement in the unlawful arrest and detention of Mr. Edward Ssebuufu, describing these actions as a “clear abuse of office” and a breach of the military’s constitutional duties.
Eddie Mutwe was kidnapped by men dressed in civilian wears and military fatigue on Sunday evening at Kiwango trading centre, Goma Division, Mukono Municipality.
Eddie Mutwe and others had held a meeting at Namweezi village which is a stone throw from Kiwango trading centre where he was captured from.
Bobi Wine later took to his social media accounts and demanded for his immediate released. Since last Sunday, NUP lawyers who include Godfrey Musisi and Samuel Mulindwa Muyizzi have searched in various police stations but they were informed he was not there.
Gen Muhoozi would later confirm that it’s the army holding him for unknown reasons.
“Eddie is looking very smart these days. The boys have tuned him well. He salutes Mzee’s picture every day before breakfast. I can’t release Eddie now. It will be unfair to me and him. He is learning Runyankore and we are both training for Kabobi,” Muhoozi said.
Muhoozi went further to explain that Eddie Mutwe started crying as soon as the boys grabbed him. “If you see Eddie’s head now he looks like an egg. Totally clean. The beards were the first thing the boys removed. After he finished crying and urinating.”
Nyeko criticizes General Muhoozi’s “irresponsible tweets,” which he claims have heightened tensions by threatening civilian life and democratic processes.
He argues that these actions not only undermine the rule of law but also violate fundamental human rights, necessitating urgent intervention.
He now calls on the Committee to summon both the Minister for Defence and General Muhoozi to address these allegations.
The letter identifies two primary issues for investigation: the militarization of politics and the UPDF’s alleged intimidation of civilians, including opposition figures, and the CDF’s role in unlawful arrests and public incitement.
“Ugandans are watching, and we expect this Committee to fulfill its mandate without fear or favor,” Nyeko writes, emphasizing the public’s demand for transparency and accountability.
The letter was also sent to the Rt. Hon. Speaker of the Parliament of Uganda and the Rt. Hon. Leader of the Opposition, underscoring the seriousness of the matter and the need for wider parliamentary action.
General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the son of President Yoweri Museveni, has been a controversial figure in Ugandan politics.
His rapid ascent within the UPDF and his outspoken social media presence have fueled speculation about his political aspirations, with some seeing him as a potential successor to his father.
However, his conduct has drawn sharp criticism from opposition leaders and civil society, who accuse him of using his military role to stifle dissent and weaken democratic norms.
These allegations surface amid growing political unrest in Uganda, where the opposition has repeatedly accused the government of using security forces to target critics.
The National Unity Platform, under Bobi Wine’s leadership, has documented numerous cases of alleged human rights abuses by the UPDF, including arbitrary detentions and extrajudicial actions.
The case of Mr. Edward Ssebuufu’s arrest adds to concerns about the military’s increasing involvement in civilian matters.
Analysts suggest this development could signal a shift in Uganda’s political dynamics. “Hon. Nyeko’s letter reflects a growing willingness within the opposition and parts of Parliament to confront the military’s overreach,” said Dr. Sarah Nambooze, a Kampala-based political analyst.
“But the challenge lies in whether the Committee will take meaningful action or if this will be another issue quietly ignored, as we’ve seen before.”
The Committee on Defence and Veteran Affairs has not yet responded to Nyeko’s letter. Sources within Parliament indicate that the allegations may lead to intense debates in the coming weeks, with opposition MPs likely to demand greater oversight of the UPDF’s activities under General Muhoozi’s command.