This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-63136511
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Uganda's president sorry for son Muhoozi Kainerugaba's threat to invade Kenya | Uganda's president sorry for son Muhoozi Kainerugaba's threat to invade Kenya |
| (4 months later) | |
| Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba unleashed a political storm with his tweets | Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba unleashed a political storm with his tweets |
| Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni has asked Kenyans for "forgiveness" after his son - a senior military officer - tweeted about invading their country. | Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni has asked Kenyans for "forgiveness" after his son - a senior military officer - tweeted about invading their country. |
| His apology came a day after he sacked Muhoozi Kainerugaba as commander of the army's land forces. | His apology came a day after he sacked Muhoozi Kainerugaba as commander of the army's land forces. |
| But Mr Museveni softened the blow by promoting him to the rank of general, and retaining him as his adviser. | But Mr Museveni softened the blow by promoting him to the rank of general, and retaining him as his adviser. |
| Mr Museveni has long been suspected of grooming the 48 year old to succeed him when he eventually steps down. | Mr Museveni has long been suspected of grooming the 48 year old to succeed him when he eventually steps down. |
| Gen Kainerugaba has increasingly been entering the political arena, with his critics saying this was in breach of the military's code of discipline. | Gen Kainerugaba has increasingly been entering the political arena, with his critics saying this was in breach of the military's code of discipline. |
| His latest intervention came on Monday when he sent out a series of tweets - some serious, some in jest - about Kenya. | His latest intervention came on Monday when he sent out a series of tweets - some serious, some in jest - about Kenya. |
| He said he had spoken to Kenya's former President Uhuru Kenyatta, and expressed regret that he had stepped down at the end of his two terms in August. | He said he had spoken to Kenya's former President Uhuru Kenyatta, and expressed regret that he had stepped down at the end of his two terms in August. |
| "My only problem with my beloved big brother is that he didn't stand for a third term. We would have won easily!" Gen Kainerugaba said. | "My only problem with my beloved big brother is that he didn't stand for a third term. We would have won easily!" Gen Kainerugaba said. |
| In a later tweet to his more than 600,000 followers, he said: "It wouldn't take us, my army and me, 2 weeks to capture [Kenya's capital] Nairobi." | In a later tweet to his more than 600,000 followers, he said: "It wouldn't take us, my army and me, 2 weeks to capture [Kenya's capital] Nairobi." |
| This led to an uproar on Twitter, with people accusing Gen Kainerugaba of being "reckless" and jeopardising relations between the neighbouring states. | This led to an uproar on Twitter, with people accusing Gen Kainerugaba of being "reckless" and jeopardising relations between the neighbouring states. |
| It led to him urging Kenyans to "relax". | It led to him urging Kenyans to "relax". |
| "I would never beat up the Kenyan army because my father told me never to attempt it! So our people in Kenya should relax!" Gen Kainerugaba tweeted. | "I would never beat up the Kenyan army because my father told me never to attempt it! So our people in Kenya should relax!" Gen Kainerugaba tweeted. |
| Although the Kenyan government did not comment, Uganda's foreign ministry issued a statement saying Uganda treasured its "strong bilateral relations" with it "brotherly neighbour". | Although the Kenyan government did not comment, Uganda's foreign ministry issued a statement saying Uganda treasured its "strong bilateral relations" with it "brotherly neighbour". |
| In the latest attempt at damage-control, Mr Museveni said he had spoken to Kenya's President William Ruto, and he was "very sorry" about his son's tweets. | In the latest attempt at damage-control, Mr Museveni said he had spoken to Kenya's President William Ruto, and he was "very sorry" about his son's tweets. |
| "I ask our Kenyan brothers and sisters to forgive us for tweets sent by General Muhoozi, former Commander of Land Forces here, regarding the election matters in that great country. | "I ask our Kenyan brothers and sisters to forgive us for tweets sent by General Muhoozi, former Commander of Land Forces here, regarding the election matters in that great country. |
| "It is not correct for Public officers, be they civilian or military, to comment or interfere in any way, in the internal affairs of brother countries," Mr Museveni said. | "It is not correct for Public officers, be they civilian or military, to comment or interfere in any way, in the internal affairs of brother countries," Mr Museveni said. |
| He added that despite his son's "mistake", he had promoted him to the rank of full general because he could still make "many positive contributions". | He added that despite his son's "mistake", he had promoted him to the rank of full general because he could still make "many positive contributions". |
| "I know for a fact that General Muhoozi is a passionate Pan-Africanist," Mr Museveni said. | "I know for a fact that General Muhoozi is a passionate Pan-Africanist," Mr Museveni said. |
| His son is known for his controversial tweets, including expressing support for Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and Tigrayan rebels fighting the Ethiopian government. | His son is known for his controversial tweets, including expressing support for Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and Tigrayan rebels fighting the Ethiopian government. |
| He also tweeted that he would give 100 cattle - apparently as a bride price - to Italy's incoming far-right Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni for being "fearless and true". | He also tweeted that he would give 100 cattle - apparently as a bride price - to Italy's incoming far-right Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni for being "fearless and true". |
| "I know Europeans give girls they like flowers? I have never understood it. In our culture you give a girl you like a cow," he added. | "I know Europeans give girls they like flowers? I have never understood it. In our culture you give a girl you like a cow," he added. |
| You may also be interested in: | You may also be interested in: |
| Uganda's leader overcomes people's power - for now | Uganda's leader overcomes people's power - for now |
| Why Uganda is investing in oil despite pressures to go green | Why Uganda is investing in oil despite pressures to go green |
| A quick guide to Uganda | A quick guide to Uganda |
| Related Topics | |
| Kenya | |
| Uganda |