Veteran journalist and political commentator Andrew Mwenda has publicly apologised to President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni following controversial remarks in which he described the Ugandan leader as “senile” and out of touch with the country’s economic direction.Mwenda admitted that his comments crossed the line and acknowledged that linking policy disagreements to the President’s age was inappropriate.“Where I went wrong, and to this I apologise to him without any reservations, is saying his decisions that I disagree with are because of his age,” Mwenda said in a statement seen by The Investigator. “In fact, I personally should have been the last person to make such an argument.”
The outspoken journalist also apologised to businessmen Dei Pharma founder Dr Matthias Magoola, and herbalist David Senfuka, whom he had previously described as “conmen” and “witch doctors” during a heated debate over government-backed industrial projects.“So, I want to apologise to the President and also to Magoola and Senfuka. I was unfair to them when I called them conmen and witch doctors,” Mwenda stated. “It is utterly unjustified to insult someone that way. That framing undermined the policy argument I was making.”He further reflected on the tone of his criticism, saying it fell below the standards he expects of himself as a journalist and public intellectual.
“I always advise young people that we can disagree without being disagreeable. I feel bad that I wrote in such bad language, like a political activist rather than the journalist and intellectual I aspire to be,” he added.Mwenda’s apology followed a strongly worded response from President Museveni, who accused the journalist of promoting neo-colonial thinking and undermining Uganda’s industrialisation agenda. In his response, Museveni defended his government’s economic policies and dismissed claims that age had diminished his leadership abilities.“You will discover that at 82, I am still able to defend Uganda and myself with the Bible, the AK-47 and the pen,” Museveni declared.
The President criticised Mwenda and other members of the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU), accusing them of attacking local industrial initiatives such as Kiira Motors, coffee processing, gold refining and agro-industrialisation projects. “You are supposed to be a journalist. Why do you not interview these so-called conmen such as Magoola and Senfuka? Visit their factories and projects before spreading lies,” Museveni said.Museveni also accused critics within pro-government circles of attempting to weaken Uganda’s economic transformation efforts by promoting foreign interests over local industrial development.Meanwhile, senior government spokesperson Ofwono Opondo warned PLU activists against what he described as “reckless political arrogance” and attacks on the President.“Politics is not abuse,” Opondo reportedly said. “You cannot build leadership by insulting the historical leadership that stabilised Uganda.”
The fallout has exposed growing tensions within Uganda’s ruling establishment ahead of the 2026 general elections, with analysts pointing to widening divisions between supporters of President Museveni and figures associated with the PLU movement linked to Muhoozi Kainerugaba.Despite the controversy, President Museveni remained defiant, reaffirming his commitment to patriotism, Pan-Africanism, socio-economic transformation and democracy.“As a freedom fighter, I am always standing for patriotism, Pan-Africanism, socio-economic transformation and democracy,” Museveni said. “I am never swayed by traitors and foreign agents.” He concluded his remarks with his signature revolutionary slogan: “Aluta Continua. Victory is Certain.”
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