Uganda’s army chief, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has issued a 48-hour ultimatum to opposition leader Bobi Wine to surrender to police, while claiming that deadly force has already been used against supporters of the National Unity Platform, remarks that have sparked widespread alarm.
In one of his posts on Monday, General Kainerugaba began by distancing his father, President Yoweri Museveni, from the remarks, writing, “I exonerate my great and venerable father from what I'm going to do to Kabobi.”
He then escalated his warning, declaring, “As for Kabobi, the permanent loser, I'm giving him exactly 48 hours to surrender himself to the Police. If he doesn't we will treat him as an outlaw/rebel and handle him accordingly.”
The statement marked one of the most explicit threats yet directed at Bobi Wine, the leader of the opposition National Unity Platform (NUP), and a long-time critic of the Ugandan government.
By framing the opposition leader as an outlaw or rebel, the army chief appeared to cast political dissent as a security threat.
General Kainerugaba went further, broadening his warning to include supporters of the opposition party.
In another post, he wrote, “We will kill on sight all NUP so-called 'Foot Soldiers'. Until Mzee says otherwise.”
The phrase suggested the use of lethal force against individuals associated with the opposition, pending instructions from President Museveni, commonly referred to as “Mzee.”
The language used in the posts was stark and uncompromising, presenting political opponents as enemies to be dealt with militarily rather than through legal or democratic processes.
The reference to kill on sight indicated an extreme posture, especially coming from the country’s top military officer.
In a third post, General Kainerugaba made a claim about ongoing violence, stating, “We have killed 22 NUP terrorists since last week. I'm praying the 23rd is Kabobi.”
The assertion, delivered without evidence or detail, described opposition supporters as terrorists and suggested that lethal operations had already taken place.
The posts were widely shared and attracted thousands of interactions within minutes, amplifying their impact.
Together, they painted a picture of an increasingly hostile environment for opposition politics in Uganda, with rhetoric that blurred the line between civilian political competition and armed conflict.
By repeatedly using dehumanising labels such as “terrorists” and “outlaw,” General Kainerugaba’s statements framed the opposition not as political rivals but as legitimate military targets.
His invocation of prayer alongside a threat of death reaffirmed the intensity of the language and the gravity of the situation.
The fact that the remarks came directly from the serving Chief of Defence Forces added to their weight.
As head of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces, General Kainerugaba commands the military institution responsible for national security, making his public threats particularly consequential.
While the posts sought to absolve President Museveni personally, the repeated reference to “Mzee” positioned the presidency as the ultimate authority capable of halting or endorsing such actions.
This linkage reinforced perceptions of a close overlap between military power and political authority.
The statements have heightened fears among opposition supporters and raised fresh questions about the safety of political actors and civilians alike.
By issuing a 48-hour ultimatum and openly discussing killings, the army chief’s words have injected a new level of tension into Uganda’s already fraught political environment.
