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Gen Muhoozi’s Algeria Visit Amid Controversy in Uganda

The Chief of Defense Forces (CDF) of Uganda, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, arrived in Algeria on Monday for high-level discussions with his Algerian counterpart, General Said Chanegriha, Minister Delegate to the Minister of National Defence and Chief of Staff of Algeria’s People’s National Army.

According to the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), the visit aims to bolster military cooperation between the two nations.

However, Gen Muhoozi’s trip comes against the backdrop of significant domestic controversy. His refusal to appear before Uganda’s Parliamentary Committee on Defence and Internal Affairs has sparked public and parliamentary outcry.

The committee had summoned him to address concerns regarding controversial posts on his social media platform, X (formerly Twitter). The posts included inflammatory remarks targeting opposition leaders such as National Unity Platform (NUP) leader Robert Kyagulanyi and former presidential candidate Dr. Kizza Besigye, who is currently detained on treason charges.

Instead of complying, Gen Muhoozi dismissed the summons and referred to the committee members as “clowns” on his X account, a move that has drawn widespread criticism and ignited a heated debate in parliament.

Betty Nambooze, a member of the parliamentary committee, expressed her frustration, accusing the government of shielding Gen Muhoozi from accountability.

“Muhoozi cannot appear before the ‘parliamentary clowns,’ as he calls us—officially known as MPs. Parliament has been captured, and his actions are a reflection of the impunity that defines the current regime,” Nambooze stated.

She added that the abrupt cancellation of Monday’s committee meeting, with no explanation provided, exemplifies the power and influence Gen Muhoozi holds.

“This is what they call impunity,” she remarked, further attributing Uganda’s governance challenges to the unchecked power of the executive. Nambooze criticized President Museveni for enabling “state capture” and argued that summoning Gen Muhoozi without addressing these systemic issues was a futile endeavor.

Meanwhile, Gen Muhoozi’s visit to Algeria is being framed as a key step in strengthening Uganda’s military partnerships. He is accompanied by senior UPDF officials, including Maj Gen James Birungi, Chief of Defense Intelligence; Maj Gen Bob Ogiki, Joint Staff Policy and Strategy; and Maj Gen Keith Katungi, Commander of the 5th Division Infantry.

The Ugandan delegation has already held meetings with high-ranking Algerian military officials to identify areas for collaboration. Discussions are reportedly centered on joint training programs, regional security initiatives, and intelligence-sharing.

As political tensions persist in Uganda, Gen Muhoozi’s Algeria visit underscores both the opportunities of international military diplomacy and the internal governance challenges facing the country.

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