Uganda may be warming up to back Kenyan President William Ruto — if recent statements by its military chief are anything to go by.
General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the commander of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) and son of President Yoweri Museveni, sparked a social media storm on Wednesday after publicly expressing support for Ruto — including a controversial offer of military backing.
In a post shared on X (formerly Twitter), Muhoozi wrote, “The only Kenyan I support at this point is Afande Ruto. If he needs any support from UPDF, we shall provide it!”
The statement comes amid heightened political tensions in Kenya, with ongoing protests and public discontent over economic hardships and governance under Ruto’s administration. Muhoozi’s declaration has drawn sharp reactions from both Ugandan and Kenyan social media users — some mocking the general’s timing and tone, while others warned of the diplomatic implications.
This is not Muhoozi’s first foray into Kenya’s internal affairs. Just days earlier, he took aim at Kenya’s involvement in the Multinational Security Support (MSS) Mission in Haiti — a UN-backed operation tasked with restoring order in the gang-plagued Caribbean nation.
In a string of posts, Muhoozi criticised the performance of Kenyan security forces in the mission and claimed that the UPDF would be more effective.
“It would take us one month to capture Port-au-Prince,” he wrote, referencing Haiti’s capital. He went on to suggest that Uganda should take over leadership of the mission and urged the United Nations to reconsider Kenya’s role.
“The Kenyans have failed after nearly two years… that’s what we expected. The UN is welcome to offer us favourable terms,” he added.
His remarks have reignited debate over Uganda’s military diplomacy, Muhoozi’s unpredictable public statements, and their potential to strain regional relations — particularly at a time when East Africa is facing multiple political and security challenges.
