Uganda's President, Yoweri Museveni has apologised to Kenyans after his son General Muhoozi Kainerugaba's remarks caused tension and uproar.
In a statement dated Wednesday, October 5, Museveni indicated that he reached out to President William Ruto and confidentially expressed his regrets about his son's behaviour.
Museveni stated that it was wrong for his son to comment on thections in Kenya, by opining that former President Uhuru Kenyatta should have contested for the third term.
"Dear Ugandans, the brotherly people of Kenya, and all East Africans. I greet all of you. I ask our Kenyan brothers and sisters to forgive us for the tweets sent by General Muhoozi," he stated.
"It is not correct for Public officers, be they civilian or military, to comment or interfere in any way, in the internal affairs of brother countries," he added.
Museveni congratulated President William Ruto for winning the August 9 polls stating that Kenya conducted a peaceful election.
He added that the only available legitimate forum where such issues can be raised is the Peer Review Mechanism of the African Union or confidential interactions among Presidents or the East African Community and the African Union.
Why Promote Him as General
General Muhoozi Kainerugaba was dropped from his commander post and promoted to full general.
In his place, the military-appointed Maj Gen Kayanja Muhanga, who previously served as commander of Operation Shujaa in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
"I promoted him because this mistake is one aspect where he has acted negatively as a Public officer. There are, however, many other positive contributions the General has made and can still make. This is a time-tested formula –discourage the negative and encourage the positive.
"Very sorry, ndugu zetu Wakenya. Also sorry to the Ugandans who could have been annoyed by one of their officials meddling in the affairs of brother Kenya. I know for a fact that General Muhoozi is a passionate Pan-Africanist," Museveni explained.
In an earlier statement, the Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) Spokesperson Brigadier General Felix Kulayigye downplayed the sentiments of General Kainerugaba, explaining that he did not have the power to declare war on any country.
Kulayige noted that such powers only lay with President Museveni and a unilateral decision by Uganda's Parliament.
