Analysis: Muhoozi: Kagame, Rwigema, Saleh Key for Museveni Military Successes

The Senior Presidential Advisor in charge of Special Operations, Lt Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has spoken out on his recent tweets that sparked intense public debate.

“A couple of weeks ago I tweeted that General  Kaguta Museveni was the greatest General in African history, this is true but he couldn’t have achieved this without General Kagame, General Saleh and General Rwigema,” said Muhoozi.

“These four are the greatest Generals in Africa,” he emphasized.

Kagame was among the National Resistance Army (NRA) combatants led by Yoweri Museveni in the attack on Kabamba barracks in 1981.

He would later serve as the deputy head of military intelligence in Uganda before leading the RPF war after the death of Maj Gen Fred Rwigema.

The timing of Muhoozi’s clarification will fuel speculation about the possibility of an informal diplomatic effort aimed at resolving the Uganda-Rwanda bilateral dispute.

A couple of weeks ago I tweeted that General @KagutaMuseveni was the greatest General in African history, this is true but he couldn't have achieved this without General Kagame, General Saleh and General Rwigema. These four are the greatest Generals in Africa. pic.twitter.com/FFywXllYzs

— Muhoozi Kainerugaba (@mkainerugaba) April 10, 2020

Muhoozi had since 2017 maintained a low profile as Uganda and Rwanda teetered on the verge of a military conflict.

However, Muhoozi, who previously served as the Commander of the elite Special Forces, recently decided to make his position clear.

Using Twitter, Muhoozi warned that any attempts to disrupt peace in Uganda would be met with the full force of the military. 

He also sent a veiled warning to the Rwandan leadership that days of appeasement had come to an end, stoking fears in Kigali.

Muhoozi has since deleted most of the controversial tweets in what appears a confidence-building measure as the two countries move to mend ties.

He also clarified that “Brothers/comrades and revolutionaries can quarrel but they should never fight,” adding, “We have come from very far. I wish His Excellency General Kagame and the people of Rwanda a solemn and respectful Kwibuka.”

Kigali had accused Kampala of massive arrests of Rwandans in Uganda; and allegedly supporting armed movements seeking to topple President Kagame.

Ugandan officials say they were crushing cells built by Kigali’s intelligence network to destabilize Uganda.

Kampala also accused Kigali of uprooting Ugandans from the Rwandan economy;  closing the common border; and slapping a trade embargo on Ugandan goods among others.

Of late, cases of Rwandans being arrested have reduced by more than 80% and supporters of Rwandan opposition have been ordered to stop their activism.

Muhoozi’s tweets coincided with the sacking of Rwanda’s State Minister for Regional Cooperation, Olivier Nduhungirehe who had relentlessly attacked Uganda on social media.

He had also questioned the official Rwandan government’s narrative on genocide against the Tutsi, saying everyone should be able to choose how and when to mourn for their dear ones.

He also mourned prominent Hutus killed in the genocide, an action that could have expedited his removal from Cabinet. 

However, Rwandan propaganda and Twitter trolls remain in overdrive, attacking Ugandan officials on social media.

These include Albert Rudatsimburwa, Mwene Kalinda, Rugambanengwe (Rugusuki) among others on Twitter and Virunga Post (publication).