Political tensions between Uganda and Kenya are set to escalate as members of the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) prepare to stage a demonstration at the Kenyan High Commission in Kampala next week.
The group is protesting what they describe as unfair and disrespectful media coverage of Chief of Defence Forces Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba by the Kenyan press.
Gen Muhoozi, who also serves as chairman of PLU, a civic organization aligned with the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), has come under scrutiny in Kenya following a controversial feature in The Standard newspaper. The daily, in its Friday, February 28 edition, ran a front-page story titled “Four-Star Brat”, accompanied by multiple images of Muhoozi in full military uniform and an analysis of his social media activity.
Another publication, The Nairobian, reignited debate over long-standing political and personal controversies involving opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye, his wife Winnie Byanyima, and President Yoweri Museveni, further aggravating Muhoozi’s supporters.
Outraged by the coverage, Kasambya County MP and PLU general secretary David Kabanda announced that the group would take to the streets in protest next Wednesday. He accused Kenyan authorities of failing to rein in what he called a smear campaign against Muhoozi and Uganda’s leadership.
“PLU is organizing a powerful demonstration at the Kenyan High Commission next Wednesday. Last year, they burned our High Commission in Nairobi, and we chose not to retaliate. Now, one of their newspapers has insulted our PLU chairman, and we will respond with full force,” Kabanda declared.
The protest threat comes amid growing unrest in Kenya over the continued detention of Dr. Besigye, who was abducted from Nairobi in November in an operation that critics claim had the tacit approval of Kenyan authorities.
Initially charged before a military court with treachery and illegal possession of firearms, Besigye was later transferred to a civilian court following a Supreme Court ruling that barred military tribunals from trying civilians. He remains in custody at Luzira Prison, now facing fresh treason-related charges.
The rising tensions were further fueled by a cryptic social media post from Gen Muhoozi on Friday morning. Posting an image of Uganda House in Nairobi engulfed in flames—a reference to last year’s attack on the Ugandan mission during Kenya’s Gen-Z protests—Muhoozi simply wrote, “Uganda House in Nairobi, burning last year.” Though restrained in tone, the message carried an unmistakable warning.
Government officials loyal to Muhoozi swiftly echoed his sentiment. Youth and Children’s Affairs Minister Balaam Barugahara, a vocal supporter of the general, responded to the post by issuing a statement condemning what he described as disrespect toward Uganda’s leadership.
“We cannot allow continuous provocations against our country. Supreme Leader Muhoozi Kainerugaba, we stand with you. This level of disrespect must not be tolerated,” Barugahara said.
With emotions running high and calls for action growing louder, Uganda-Kenya relations could face renewed strain in the coming days. The planned demonstration, if carried out, could spark diplomatic repercussions, further testing the already delicate balance between the two neighboring nations.
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