Sudan has demanded a formal apology from Uganda following controversial comments by General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the Commander of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) and son of President Yoweri Museveni.
In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), Gen. Muhoozi claimed he could “capture Khartoum” once US President-elect Donald Trump assumed office. Sudan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the remarks as a violation of international law and an affront to the principles of mutual respect between nations.
“This provocative statement is an alarming disregard for international norms, interstate relations, and the foundations of mutual respect between friendly countries,” read Sudan’s statement. The ministry has called on the African Union and the international community to denounce the remarks, labeling them a threat to regional and global stability.
This incident follows a pattern of controversial social media activity by Gen. Muhoozi, which has previously sparked diplomatic tensions. In 2022, his claims that the UPDF could capture Nairobi within two weeks strained relations with Kenya, prompting President Museveni to apologize and urge his son to refrain from using social media.
Critics argue that such comments undermine Uganda’s regional standing and risk isolating the country internationally. Political analyst Martha Kamau observed, “These remarks damage trust and destabilize East Africa’s diplomatic balance.”
The fallout from Gen. Muhoozi’s statements has put additional strain on Uganda-Sudan relations, historically marked by cordiality. Sudan, already facing internal conflict, views the comments as destabilizing and inflammatory.
“Threats of war and violations of sovereignty are too grave to trivialize,” Sudan’s foreign ministry declared, calling the remarks an insult to African dignity and regional stability.
The Ugandan government has yet to issue an official apology, further heightening tensions. Critics warn that failure to address these diplomatic missteps could harm Uganda’s position in regional organizations and weaken its influence.
As Uganda faces mounting scrutiny from its neighbors and international allies, calls for a more effective approach to managing diplomatic relations and addressing Gen. Muhoozi’s social media activity grow louder.
