The US Embassy in Uganda has said it will limit its activity on social media due to a temporary halt in government funding. According to the embassy, regular updates will be paused until normal operations resume, but urgent safety and security alerts will still be shared.
“Due to the lapse in appropriations, this X account will not be updated regularly until full operations resume, with the exception of urgent safety and security information,” the embassy said, emphasizing that essential services will continue without interruption.
The statement noted that passport and visa services in the United States and at other US embassies and consulates abroad will remain active as circumstances allow.
Those seeking guidance on services or operational status were advised to check travel.state.gov for the latest information.
This announcement follows heightened diplomatic tension between Uganda and the United States, triggered by remarks from General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, commander of the Uganda Peoples' Defence Forces and son of President Yoweri Museveni.
Muhoozi recently tweeted that the US had assisted opposition leader Bobi Wine in leaving the country after the January 25 presidential election, during which Bobi Wine reportedly went into hiding.
The general later deleted the tweets and offered an apology to the United States.
Senator Jim Risch, chairman of the US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, described Muhoozi’s behavior as part of a persistent pattern and called for a review of the US-Uganda partnership, including military cooperation.
"Commander Muhoozi Kainerugaba has crossed a red line, and now the U.S. must reevaluate its security partnership, which includes sanctions and military cooperation with Uganda," Senator Risch said.
He further stated, "The president's son cannot just delete tweets and issue hollow apologies. The U.S. will not tolerate this level of instability and recklessness when American personnel, U.S. interests, and innocent lives in the region are at stake."
