A bitter public confrontation has erupted between Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba and Water and Environment Minister Maj. Gen. Kahinda Otafiire, exposing what analysts describe as one of the most serious internal feuds among Uganda’s ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) elite in recent years.
The extraordinary exchange, conducted almost entirely on social media platform X, has drawn in politicians, military veterans, government supporters and ordinary Ugandans, with many expressing concern over the growing hostility between two of the country’s most influential military figures.The latest clash was sparked by Otafiire’s recent remarks warning against alleged extrajudicial killings by officers attached to the Uganda Police Force’s Crime Intelligence Directorate.
OTAFIIRE’S WARNING
The veteran bush war fighter, known for speaking his mind even when it causes discomfort within government, addressed his message directly to Inspector General of Police Abbas Byakagaba’s deputy, Prof. James Ochaya Kamuntu. In his post, Otafiire wrote:
“Hon. Professor Kamuntu, I forgot to tell you, please don’t tolerate any form of extrajudicial killings especially by some few rogue officers in the Crime Intelligence Directorate.”
The brief but explosive statement immediately attracted national attention because it appeared to accuse elements within Crime Intelligence, commanded by Maj. Gen. Christopher Damulira, of engaging in unlawful killings.
Although Otafiire did not identify any specific officers or incidents, the tweet reignited longstanding allegations from human rights organisations accusing security agencies of operating outside the law during investigations into violent crime and political cases.The minister’s comments were interpreted by many observers as a rare case of a serving Cabinet minister publicly criticising fellow security agencies.
MUHOOZI FIRES BACK
The response from Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba came swiftly. Apparently angered by Otafiire’s criticism of Crime Intelligence officers, the CDF issued what many viewed as an unprecedented warning directed at a senior Cabinet minister and fellow four-star general.
Without mentioning Otafiire by name, Muhoozi posted: “A Cabinet Minister who claimed he is a leopard and condemned the great officers of Crime Intelligence of Uganda Police has provoked lions enough and is dangerously close to being arrested.” The tweet instantly went viral.
The language employed by the army commander was striking. By contrasting Otafiire’s self-description as a “leopard” with “lions,” Muhoozi appeared to portray himself and security agencies as possessing greater authority and strength.
His suggestion that a serving Cabinet minister was “dangerously close to being arrested” also generated intense debate, with legal commentators questioning under what authority the CDF could make such pronouncements.
The exchange comes at a time when Muhoozi has already been embroiled in heated online arguments with opposition leaders over the controversial arrest and detention of Kampala lawyer and Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago.
KABANDA JOINS THE FIGHT
As debate over Muhoozi’s post intensified, former Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) Secretary General Daudi Kabanda entered the fray with a lengthy defence of the CDF and a blistering attack on Otafiire.Kabanda accused Otafiire of leading what he described as a clique of historical NRM members who secretly oppose President Yoweri Museveni but lack the courage to confront him directly.
Instead, Kabanda claimed, they had chosen Muhoozi as their preferred target.
He wrote: “Some historical members of NRA/NRM who have always had political issues with their boss President Museveni, but fear to face him head-on because they are protecting their bread, prefer to turn General Muhoozi Kainerugaba into a perpetual punching bag as a way of hitting at the President indirectly.” Kabanda argued that such attacks had inadvertently elevated Muhoozi’s political profile.
“By doing so, they unknowingly provoked a revolution and made Gen. MK a real factor.” The former legislator singled out Otafiire by name.”Otafiire has been the leader of this clique and he has provoked our generation enough.”
Kabanda then questioned why Otafiire remained in Cabinet if he believed government agencies were involved in unlawful killings.
“Why doesn’t Otafiire resign his Cabinet position if he thinks the Government of President Museveni that he serves kills people? Pure hypocrisy and cheap blackmail.”He concluded by insisting supporters of Muhoozi would no longer remain silent. “When Gen MK chose to get out and push back against these serial coordinated attacks and schemes against him, they started screaming. We shall not accept this.”
OTAFIIRE’S LONG-HELD CONCERNS
Although Muhoozi’s supporters portrayed Otafiire’s latest remarks as an isolated attack on security agencies, the minister has consistently presented himself as one of the few senior government officials willing to challenge what he sees as deviations from the ideals of the 1981–1986 bush war.
In one of his recent public speeches, Otafiire reflected on the values that motivated the National Resistance Army struggle. “We fought for a revolution. Change of the situation from what it was to what should be obtaining now. That’s what I live for.” He continued: “Our revolution was a revolution of the intellectuals and the peasantry. I am now looking at another class that is coming in, grafting their ideological bankruptcy onto our noble ideas.”
Many political observers interpreted the remarks as a warning that the original ideals of the liberation struggle risk being overshadowed by personal ambition and patronage politics.
SOCIAL MEDIA ERUPTS
The public exchange triggered thousands of reactions online. Many users urged Muhoozi to exercise restraint, arguing that Otafiire had earned respect through his role during the liberation struggle. Political commentator Raymond Ramsey appealed for dialogue.”General, I beg don’t arrest Otafiire. Instead sit down with the General and talk. He’s one of the men we respect.”
Apollo Buregyeya wrote: “He was ready to die for his country in the bush. I don’t think he fears prison.” Another user observed: “That would be equivalent to arresting your father. He literally recruited the first soldiers.”Others questioned whether the CDF possessed constitutional powers to threaten the arrest of a Cabinet minister.
GROWING DIVISIONS
The latest confrontation has once again highlighted what appears to be widening ideological and generational differences inside the NRM.On one side stand liberation war veterans such as Otafiire, who frequently invoke the original principles of the NRA revolution and publicly caution against abuse of state power.
On the other are younger political actors and Muhoozi loyalists, who increasingly defend the CDF against criticism while portraying attacks on him as attacks on President Museveni’s legacy and the future leadership project associated with Muhoozi.Whether the dispute ends with reconciliation or escalates into disciplinary action remains uncertain.
What is already clear, however, is that the disagreement has moved beyond private discussions into the public arena, exposing internal tensions that Uganda’s ruling establishment has traditionally sought to keep behind closed doors.
For now, neither President Museveni nor the Uganda People’s Defence Forces has officially commented on the increasingly bitter exchange between two of the country’s most senior generals. Their silence is likely to fuel further speculation about the political implications of one of the most extraordinary public feuds within the NRM in recent memory.
Author Profile
- Charles Gazza Kodili is a seasoned journalist with over 20 years of experience in the media industry. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communication. He’s currently the Chief Editor at the Investigator.
Charles can also be reached via; Tel: +256 774 108978
Email: [email protected]
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