Uganda’s Chief of the Defense Forces Muhoozi Kainerugaba on Friday, October 4 gave U.S Ambassador to Uganda William Popp until Monday 9am to apologize to President Yoweri Museveni or leave the East African country.
In a statement, Muhoozi who is also Museveni’s son faulted the diplomat’s remarks on democracy during an event held at Makerere University.
“If this current US Ambassador does not apologize to Mzee personally by Monday morning (9.00am) for his undiplomatic behaviour in our country we will demand he leaves Uganda,” stated the military chief.
At the same time, Muhoozi was categorical that Uganda had no issue with the United States and that the two countries enjoyed a cordial relationship.
“We have no problem with the USA, as I have said many times it is a country we love and admire. But lately we have a lot of evidence that they have been working against the NRM government.”
The ultimatum stemmed from what Muhoozi described as disrespect to President Museveni.
“Fellow Ugandans, it is my solemn duty to announce to you all that we as a nation are about to have a serious confrontation with the current US Ambassador to our country.
For disrespecting our beloved and celebrated president and for undermining the constitution of Uganda,” he said.
He continued to add that the disrespect does not only relate to country’s leader but the entire nation and its citizens.
“It is not only General Muhoozi Kainerugaba . It is President Museveni, the government and the people of Uganda too. This is not a personal issue between me and the current US Ambassador, this is a national issue, and you’ll see that no foreign country will ever dominate Uganda again!” he remarked.
US Ambassador William Popp on Education and Democracy
William Popp was the keynote speaker at the fifth Annual Senteza Kajubi Fulbright Memorial Lecture organized by Makerere University where he spoke on the role of higher education in building active citizens.
“From civil rights to climate action, history shows that universities are incubators of social movements. Students learn to challenge the status quo and advocate for policies that benefit society as a whole,” he stated.
Popp urged universities to be foster debate and critical thinking to empower students to be change makers.
“Universities can build active citizens by fostering debate and critical thinking. Students need platforms where they can question, debate and critique issues which in turn builds their ability to make informed decisions,” he explained.
Also Read: Muhoozi Speaks on Plan to Succeed His Father Museveni in 2026 General Election
Popp’s View on Ugandan Society
“We support that the Ugandan constitution be fulfilled, and for citizens to be able to choose their leaders, how they want to participate in making laws and having those laws being enforced, and be part of the governance process, which is essential to every democracy,” he stated.
Museveni has been in power for decades in Uganda cracking down on opposition and the international community has had its view on his prolonged term in office.
“Democracy presumes that citizens are supreme and all people in a society have an equal voice. Chapter 1, Article 1 of Uganda’s Constitution affirms this: ‘All authority in the State emanates from the people…and the people shall be governed through their will and consent.’ In democracies, individuals select from among themselves leaders to guide their society, and they can change those leaders through free and fair elections,” Popp added.
Museveni’s Rule in Uganda
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