Uganda's controversial tweeting general is leaving X

Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the son of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, has announced that he has resigned from X, where he was posting controversial messages.

The 50-year-old army general has become more involved in the political arena, breaking military protocols, managing debates about his intentions to succeed his father, who has been in power since 1986.

He recently sparked outrage with a tweet in which he threatened to take down the country's main opposition, Bobi Wine.

In his last post on Friday, General Kainerugaba said that “the time has now come to leave and focus” on his military duties but promised to “reunite” with his one million followers in the future time.

This is not the first time that General Kainerugaba has canceled his X account.

In 2022, he quit the microblogging platform only to return days later.

Critics have criticized the general for his statements on social media, which touched on topics considered taboo for a serving soldier.

In 2022, he made headlines for considering invading neighboring Kenya, an idea that prompted his father to step in and apologize.

A recent post by General Kainerugaba threatening to “cut off” leader Bobi Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, drew widespread criticism in the country.

Although the general apologized for the post which he said was a joke, Bobi Wine said that he could not take these threats lightly.

The Ugandan government took down the post, with a spokesperson describing Sean Kainerugaba's social media comments as “casual” comments that should not be interpreted as reflecting official policy.

General Kainerugaba's unprofessional outburst on social media has also angered other countries with his previous positions on siding with Russia in the invasion of Ukraine, and saying that Uganda would be on Tigray's side in the Ethiopian civil war.

Museveni has nevertheless defended his son as a “very good general” and the army said he enjoyed his constitutionally guaranteed right to individual expression.

In his farewell message to X's fans, the general said his decision to leave the stage was driven by his faith and a renewed focus on his military duties as a general in the Uganda People's Defense Forces (UPDF) .

“It is on the guidance and blessings of my Lord Jesus Christ that I leave this social media and dedicate my assignment to bring peace and security to our region,” said his statement.

“For my dear followers, it has been a real tour and journey together on these streets for the past 10 years since 2014,” he said.

He urged his followers to continue to support his father, whom he described as “the most opposed general”.

General Kainerugaba has been seen as a potential successor to his long-serving father, but Museveni has denied that he is being groomed for the presidency.

The general has been holding rallies, mobilizing support throughout the country, which has drawn criticism in some quarters.

He joined the army in 1999 and has had a meteoric rise. It has been dubbed “Project Muhoozi” by the local media.

“I know that you love me all, and that you will follow me like the wind long after,” he said in his signature statement from X.