Reference is made to an article in the American newspaper New York Times by writer Megan K. Stack titled ‘The Authoritarian Future is Already Here’ published on October 8, 2026.
The author of the article regurgitates long held, twisted opposition and activist narratives against the government in Kampala, and in doing so, levels disparaging, unfounded, and utterly scandalous allegations against the person of General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the UPDF Chief of Defence Forces and Senior Presidential Advisor for Special Operations.
To start with, the latest publication in the New York Times is continuation of a vile campaign in recent years by western media conglomerates against General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, for quite obviously imperialistic reasons. In September 2024, The Telegraph, a British newspaper, published a vicious attack against General Muhoozi Kainerugaba titled “Hardman who may be Uganda’s next president is Putin fan and asked Meloni to marry him.” In September 2025, the Wall Street Journal headlined an article against General Muhoozi Kainerugaba entitled “He Jokes About Trump and Invading Kenya - and May Be Uganda’s Next President”. The British Economist Magazine has similarly churned out a succession of vitriolsagainst the General lately, like one recent publication in September 2026 titled “From Autocracy to Despotism”.
In all cases, the articles and “expert analysis” are trivial, sensational, and low on substance. What is clear though is that General Muhoozi Kainerugaba is not their (western media) preferred successor of choice to a post-Museveni Uganda. They would rather have the lackey Robert Kyagulanyi in-charge, or others of similar kin. However, the future of Uganda is a choice that will be firmly determined by Ugandans when the time comes.
In the latest prejudiced New York Times missive against General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, one allegation stands out. The author writes, quoting an exiled Ugandan dissident Kakwenza Rukirabashaija: ‘…during the first visit [while in detention], the General [Kainerugaba] ordered the author (Kakwenza) – the taller of the two men – to bend over to make himself shorter and to remove his pants to reveal the size of his penis. She continues, ‘on the second visit, General Kainerugaba offered Kakwenza a bribe to keep quiet about the abuse he had suffered. Kakwenza just looked at the floor… he could not even stand.’ Earlier in the same article, Kakwenza claimed he was viciously flogged and beaten so badly while in detention that his ankle bones fractured, he suffered damaged kidneys, and his back laced with scars.
The inconsistencies in the story are quite laughable. In one instance, Kakwenza, allegedly the taller of the two men, is ordered to “bend over to make himself shorter”, and in the next, his ankles are shattered and “he could not even stand”. Quite remarkable. The lies are clear to see, outlandish, cheap, and miserable. What is more, baseless and unfounded character assassination of African leaders should be dismissed out of hand by rational thinking members of society with the contempt deserved.
To put it clear, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba has never met Kakwenza Rukirabashaija in his life. Kakwenza is a known fiction teller, and the latest episode in the previously respectable New York Times is a fine figment of his imagination.
Nonetheless, the UPDF wishes to reiterate as follows:
General Muhoozi Kainerugaba is a decorated military officer with decades of dedicated service and outstanding achievements in his field. To reduce him and his substantial achievements based on social media banter, misguided, and false media reports is absurd and a desperate attempt to satisfy prejudiced western audiences about the supposed failings of Africa.
Secondly, Uganda is a constitutional and democratic polity. Cherry-picking online remarks or jokes while disregarding the broader institutional and constitutional frameworks, including the laws of Uganda within which the country operates is the height of hypocrisy. The allegations of human rights abuses attributed to Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba are presented without proper verification and rigorous scrutiny. It is hearsay. Serious accusations require serious evidence, not reliance on anecdotal, or politically motivated sources.
Thirdly, the UPDF, which General Muhoozi Kainerugaba commands, operates within the confines of the law. The UPDF will continue its constitutional obligation to extend support to the civil authorities when requested or required, for instance, to support the maintenance of law and order, among others. It will also continue to hold service members who break the law to the highest standards of discipline and accountability. Ugandans know this. The Ugandan courts are robust and functional whenever evidence is presented, and the political opposition has utilized the courts of law to great effect.
Lastly, what will not be tolerated is external interference in the affairs of Uganda.
